Rozier Leaves USFL and Signs With Oilers--Agent

Running back Mike Rozier, the 1983 Heisman Trophy winner who signed with the United States Football League, is jumping to the National Football League’s Houston Oilers, his agent Art Wilkinson said Monday.

The contract signed by Rozier is a four-year deal estimated at $2 million.

Rozier earned the right to sign with the Oilers by buying out his multi-year contract with the Jacksonville Bulls of the USFL.

The Oilers and Rozier had been awaiting NFL clearance to sign before an Aug. 1 guideline date that is designed to ensure that USFL players are free of other contractual obligations.

NFL spokesman Dick Maxwell said Rozier is free to sign immediately because Rozier was found to be free of any contractual obligations.

Houston obtained NFL rights to Rozier in a 1984 supplemental draft of USFL players.

Wilkinson admitted that Rozier had turned down a $3.2 million Oilers’ offer in 1984, “because it involved a deferred payment schedule with the final payment in 1999.”

Rozier, 24, of Camden, N.J., won the Heisman, Maxwell and Walter Camp trophies in 1983, when he set Nebraska and Big Eight Conference rushing records. He then signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL, under a personal service contract with team owner Edward DeBartolo, Sr.

The Maulers folded after the 1984 season.

This season for Jacksonville, Rozier rushed for 1,361 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He caught 50 passes for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns.