Now that the class of 2018 is officially on the clock, several of the nation’s top players have started cutting their lists in advance of a commitment announcement.
Today, experts from the Rivals.com network examine where Rivals100 quarterback Justin Rogers might end up playing his college football. The candidates are TCU, LSU and North Carolina.
MORE: Mike Farrell's Three-Point Stance | Commitment Issues Podcast
THE SITUATION
Rogers cut his list to seven programs earlier this year with plans to take several visits, but that list quickly went from seven to three after he visited North Carolina in March. After checking out the Tar Heels he also made trips to LSU and TCU for their spring games and now he’s set to announce his decision on May 31. So where will he end up? We asked our team experts to state the case for their respective programs and let National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell issue a verdict.
THE CASE FOR LSU
“Justin Rogers is the guy that first-year LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada covets to be the quarterback signee in the Tigers' 2018 class. Not only is he a very good prospect but he's also a Louisiana kid. Ed Orgeron and his staff don't want those types of guys getting away. That said, between how Brandon Harris' career ended up at LSU, the Tigers signing two quarterbacks in Lowell Narcisse and Myles Brennan, and Rogers' relationship with the TCU staff, I think he will commit to the Horned Frogs on May 31. However, I don't think LSU will give up.” – Mike Scarborough, TigerBait.com
THE CASE FOR NORTH CAROLINA
“Justin Rogers would fit into UNC’s spread offense system because he can run, throw and throw on the run, and UNC loves having mobile quarterbacks that they can be creative with. He’s also big and strong, and with as much as UNC’s QBs run inside the tackles, that would serve him well. The Tar Heels’ case is also enhanced that they didn’t bring in a QB for the class of 2017, and it also may help that former Bossier City standout QB Brandon Harris recently transferred from LSU to UNC.” – Andrew Carter, TarHeelIllustrated.com
THE CASE FOR TCU
“There's a saying in recruiting: If you win the mom, you win the player. It appears that TCU has won Justin Rogers' mom, Veronica. She has streak of 18 straight TCU flavored retweets. That's since May 3. The last school-specific tweet before this streak began was about Baylor, a school not even in the running for Rogers. TCU has also been promoting its upcoming summer camps with Rogers' picture from last year's camps. It just appears it's a matter of time before Rogers picks TCU.” – Billy Wessels, PurpleMenace.com
THE VERDICT
“I think he picks TCU. He’s had a strong relationship with the coaches there for a long time and seems to really like the way he fits. He’s a quarterback who would fit into any offense, but an offense where he has space to move around and get the ball out of his hands quickly would likely be ideal which leans more towards TCU and UNC. He stays closer to home and picks the Horned Frogs.” – Farrell
