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Lehigh Acres Today
By the People, for the People
Elite NIU RB Announces Transfer Portal Decision After Thomas Hammock Leaves for Seahawks
Lazaro Rogers, a rising sophomore running back, enters the transfer portal following the departure of NIU head coach Thomas Hammock.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A day after NIU head coach Thomas Hammock left the program to take a running backs coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks, Lazaro Rogers, a rising sophomore running back, announced he is entering the transfer portal. Rogers was a three-star recruit out of Lehigh Acres, Florida and carried the ball 33 times for 189 yards and 1 touchdown during his freshman campaign with the Huskies.
Why it matters
Rogers' decision to enter the transfer portal is another blow to the NIU football program, which is already undergoing significant changes. With Hammock's departure, defensive coordinator Rob Harley will serve as the interim head coach as the team prepares to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only program.
The details
Rogers was the No. 3 running back on the NIU depth chart last season, behind Chavon Wright and Telly Johnson Jr. With few carries, Rogers did not rank on the PFSN CFB WR Impact Rankings. The only other FBS school to offer him was Boise State, which already has two productive running backs on its roster. Rogers' next destination remains uncertain, but a return to his home state of Florida is a possibility.
- On February 17, 2026, NIU head coach Thomas Hammock left the program to take a running backs coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks.
- On February 18, 2026, Lazaro Rogers announced he is entering the transfer portal.
The players
Lazaro Rogers
A rising sophomore running back who carried the ball 33 times for 189 yards and 1 touchdown during his freshman campaign at NIU.
Thomas Hammock
The former head coach of the NIU football team, who left the program to take a running backs coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks.
Rob Harley
The defensive coordinator for NIU, who will serve as the interim head coach as the team prepares to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only program.
What they’re saying
“I'm officially putting my name in the transfer portal 🙏🏽.”
— Lazaro Rogers (Twitter)
What’s next
The NIU football program will begin its season on September 8, 2026 against the University of Iowa. Between now and then, the team's roster could look different as players enter the transfer portal.
The takeaway
Rogers' decision to enter the transfer portal is the latest in a series of changes for the NIU football program, which is facing an uncertain future as it prepares to join the Mountain West Conference. The loss of their starting running back, coupled with the departure of head coach Thomas Hammock, could significantly impact the team's performance in the upcoming season.
