Interview with Overlooked 19-Offer 3-Star 2021 Pennsylvania DL Isaiah Rogers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If there were star rankings for intensity, productivity, and determination alone, Isaiah Rogers would be a consensus five-star prospect. Throughout the 2019 season, the Academy Park High School standout proved he was a top next-level talent after ending 78 plays, 44 solo, with 27 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, two passes batted down, one jarred pigskin, and one pigskin recovery. The 6-4, 270-pound, defensive lineman ended his junior run as a two-time All-Conference and two-time All-Area selection adding first team All-State accolades to the resume. The Knights’ three-star recruit is extremely popular in certain circles, but is not on the national radar given the complete package shown against 5A Pennsylvania competition.
In his first interview with RNG, Rogers breaks down his play in the defensive trenches with an update on his open recruiting and Top 5 list.
Interview
Isaiah, there is a determination to your game in the defensive trenches that comes across on game film. When the lights come on in the fall, what fires you up to play at such a high level?
Proving people wrong that say I cannot do it, that fuels my energy.
The Knights’ coaching staff was using you all over the defensive front a year ago. What different fronts were you guys executing and where all were you lining up in 2019?
We ran a 4-3, they were putting me to the strength of the other team’s offense. Not sounding cocky, but I am the strongest guy on the team. They would match me up against their strength on the offensive line. We threw in some packages for certain teams, whatever they ran we had packages to counter. We also ran a 3-man front. I was a nose in the three-man front and in our four-man front I would line up at 3-tech; if that was the strength or at end.
Your get off and strength against 5A Pennsylvania teams show. What do you feel are some of the other strengths to your game as a defensive lineman?
Being able to understand the game, reading my opponent, and understanding him at the beginning of the game.
Where will you be lining up during the 2020 season?
I will be playing both sides of the ball. On offense I am playing guard and I will have the same roles on defense.
How have you been preparing for the season with your strength and conditioning this spring and summer?
We have not been able to go to practice, so I took it upon myself to go on the track to workout. I am doing regular lifts without weights and running two miles in the morning. With my home workouts, I am doing pushups, sit-ups, and body weight stuff.
Although it may have been awhile since you last maxed out, but when you did, what did you lift?
My squat is 500, but I can go higher. We have bumper weights, so there was no more space on the bar for more weight. On bench, my max is 350 and my deadlift is 500.
Impressive.
Thank you.
Which areas of your game have you been working on ahead of your senior season?
This offseason I have been working on new moves, my footwork, changing direction faster, hand-placement, and fighting off the opponent.
Let’s cover ground on recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
Syracuse, Rutgers, and I have talked to Iowa.
What is the current offer total?
I have 19 offers.
Rogers’ Offer Sheet: Akron, Albany, Bowling Green, Bryant, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Colorado, FIU, Howard, James Madison, Kent State, Maine, Massachusetts, Monmouth, Old Dominion, Rhode Island, Stony Brook, Toledo, and Western Kentucky
Before the campuses were shut down in March, did you get to take any visits?
Yes, I went to Villanova, Temple, and Syracuse.
What did you do during the Temple visit?
They gave us a tour of the stadium and facilities, we tried on the uniforms, and had lunch.
How did the Syracuse visit go?
I liked it. Same thing as the Temple visit, we took a tour of the facilities and we tried on the jersey and helmet. They gave us background on the program and why they are different from other schools.
When campuses open up, are there any planned visits ahead for you?
Yes. Colorado and FIU, they might be official visits, and I will probably take some local visits.
Given all your offers, do you have a commitment date in mind?
Yes. I am telling some of the schools, after I posted my Top 5, if the season does not start as planned I will commit soon. I may commit the first week of August. If our season gets going on time, I might be a silent commit in October but announce on signing Day.
Which schools are on your Top Schools List?
Buffalo, Old Dominion, FIU, Colorado, and James Madison.
Isaiah, it was great learning more about you and your game today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success this summer with your season preparations.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Rogers family; Isaiah Rogers at Syracuse