Dawgs get 10th committment
Treasure Coast linebacker Deon Rogers said there was no sense in waiting any longer.
With that, the rising senior became Georgia's 10th verbal commitment Thursday night when he phoned Bulldog assistant coach John Jancek with the news.
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"I just love Georgia," Rogers said in a telephone interview with UGASports.. "What can I say? It's a real nice place. When I went up there, I just fell in love with the campus, everything about it. I didn't see no use in waiting any longer, so I talked it over with my coaches and parents, then went ahead and made the call."
Rogers (6-foot-3, 197 pounds) said that Jancek was ecstatic with the news.
"He was really happy," Rogers said. "He just told me he'd do whatever he could to make be a better linebacker, and do what he can to help get me to the next level."
Rogers chose the Bulldogs over Duke, Buffalo, Florida International, South Alabama and Western Michigan.
Treasure Coast assistant Allen Suber broke down Rogers' game during the team's recent trip to Athens for the Mark Richt Camp.
"We had a practice and Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida International were all here. The Tennessee coach loved him, but said he would have to get back," Suber said. "The Florida International coach said 'Damn that, we'll offer him right now and he's the No. 1 guy on their board. He's rangy, he can bend a fullback back and he can cover a slot guy. He ran a 4.48. He's another one of those guys where the sky's the limit."
Rogers becomes the sixth player from the state of Florida to commit to the Bulldogs thus far, joining linebacker Demetre Baker, offensive lineman Brent Benedict, linebacker B.J. Butler, safety Marc Deas and cornerback Derek Owens.
"I didn't even know that," Rogers said. "But that's pretty cool. Florida's definitely the place to go if you want to get some athletes. I'm just glad Georgia wanted me."
Rogers said he came with his teammates to the Mark Richt Camp hoping to grab the attention of Bulldog coaches and did so by earning an on-the-spot scholarship. While he dreamed of that happening, realistically it was the last thing he had on his mind.
"I didn't expect it," said Rogers, who was offered the scholarship by none other than the Bulldogs' head coach.
"It was wild. Coach Richt came up and said 'I heard a lot about you,'" Rogers said. "That's when he said he'd like to offer me a scholarship. I just started smiling; just one big steady smile."
While most eyes have been on his teammate at Treasure Coast – five-star performer Jeff Luc – Rogers' posted some very impressive numbers for the Titans as well.
Of Rogers' 40 tackles, 14 went for losses, not to mention 12 sacks and one fumble recovery.
"I just can't believe it," Rogers said. "I never dreamed this would be happening so quick for me. I just feel so blessed. Now, I can just concentrate on my senior year. I can't wait to get up there."
Rogers is the 10th commitment for Georgia, and here is the class to date for the Bulldogs:
1. Jalen Fields - DE- 6-foot-5, 250-pounds, 4.65 -Dalton, Ga.
2. Marc Deas - S- 6-foot, 185, 4.48 -Kissimmee, Fl.
3. Kolton Houston - OG/DT- 6-5, 270, -Buford, Ga.
4. B.J. Butler - LB- 6-foot-3, 240, 4.65 -Kissimmee, Fl
href= viewprospect.asp?pr_key=85337>Da'Rick Rogers - WR- 6-foot-3, 205, 4.40-Calhoun, GA.
href= viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=79851 >Brent Benedict - OT- 6-foot-6, 290, 4.40-Jacksonville, FL.
href= viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=85721 >Michael Bennett - WR- 6-foot-3, 186, 4.55-Alpharetta, GA.
href= viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=98664>Demetre Baker - WR- 6-foot, 200, 4.45-Orange Park, FL.
href= http://uga.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=89429>Derek Owens - CB- 5-foot-11, 180, 4.40-Jacksonville, FL.
href= viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=95275>Deon Rogers - OLB- 6-foot-3, 200, 4.48-Port St. Lucie, FL.