Rodgers makes switch, headed to Pac-10
The Oregon State Beavers have struck deep in the heart of Texas.
Coach Mike Riley has received a commitment from Lamar Consolidated athlete James Rodgers. Rodgers, who committed to Texas State a few weeks ago, took an official visit to Oregon State last weekend and coach Mike Riley did an in-home visit this week.
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Oregon State found Rodgers at the East Meets West All-Star game in Orlando, Florida, and want him to play inside receiver and be their return specialist.
"The day after he verballed to Texas State, Oregon State gets on him," Lamar recruiting coordinator Mike Zerlein said. "With coach (David) Bailiff moving over the Rice, that made his decision a little easier. He also is the type of kid that wants to play at the major Division I level.
"Coach Riley said that they were targeting Texas and would be recruiting the area. He didn't even know he had a brother and I think that James liked that. Now, with James at Oregon State, I'd say that they just moved up Jaquizz's list to number one."
Jaquizz Rodgers is a coveted junior running back, who has rushed for 4,000 yards in two season at Lamar.
"They've always wanted to play together and James is a leader, so you might see a few kids from here head up to Oregon State," he said. "Jaquizz is a student of the game and knows that Stephen Jackson of the Rams played at Oregon State."
Rodgers (5-6, 164-pounds) was impressed with the professionalism of coach Riley and his plans to get him on the field.
"Coach said if they weren't serious about James that they wouldn't have spent the money to come all the way down here to see just him," Zerlein said. "He didn't pressure James and that he should come in expecting to play right away."