Huge OL favors Clemson

Junior To Watch: Brian Rogers

School: Monroe, N.C.

Position: Offensive tackle

Size and speed: Rogers is 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds. He runs the 40-yard dahs in 5.3 seconds.

Honors: Honorable mention all-county

Statistics: Rogers had 14 pancake blocks as a junior.

Favorite schools: Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech.

Skinny: Rogers is a massive offensive lineman with plenty of potential. He is just starting to come into his own.

“When we first saw Bryan his sophomore year he was just a big young kid that needed a lot of work. He was somewhat of a project,” said Monroe head coach Bobby Cloninger. “It’s amazing how much he is improving and he’s progressively getting better everyday. He needs to improve on his footwork and hip flexibility.”

Rogers is a hard worker who agrees that there is work to be done.

“I think what makes me a dominant lineman is my strength. I can just overpower most all defensive linemen,” he said. “I can always improve on my footwork and quickness. I do latter drills in practice and jump rope every single day.”

Recruiting is starting to heat up for the big lineman.

“I’ve been receiving a lot of letters but mainly from Clemson and North Carolina. I already had an unofficial visit to Clemson. Their offensive coordinator and QB coach, Mike O’Cain, spoke with my father and showed a lot of interest. He asked my Dad, ‘what do we have to do to get Brian to come to Clemson?’ He kind of informally offered us a scholarship that day. I like Clemson and would have to say they are my early leader. I really like Coach Bowden, he’s a nice guy and seemed to be a good Christian man.”

Other schools are certainly in the mix as well.

“He got an invite and is going to the South Carolina Spring Game and he’s hearing from a lot of schools,” said Cloninger. “Both he and Albert Ashcraft (running back teammate) will be going to the North Carolina team camp. He will also be camping with Clemson and got an invite to the Nike camp in Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). He’s also taking unofficial visits to UNC, South Carolina, and Clemson.”

Rogers and Ashcraft are good friends, but they’re going to decide on whatever school is best for each of them. Rogers is looking forward to a big senior season.

“Albert and I are real good friends, I told him as long as he runs behind me, he’s going to get the kind of yards he wants . I’m like a big snow plow, anybody that gets in my way I’m going to knock out. I’m going to hurt anybody that gets in my way.”