Rodgers offers challenge of his own
Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy offensive lineman Khaliel Rodgers is a veteran of the camp circuit. He has excelled on the circuit each of the last two offseasons and with his experience comes perspective. He knows exactly what the chance to compete at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge means.
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"This is a chance to go national," he said. "It's one thing to go compete in the North or go compete in the South but this is going to bring everyone, from everywhere. That is big time.
"I really am honored to be invited and I am excited to compete."
The inaugural, invitation-only event will be held June 22-24 at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta and will feature many of the best players at their positions from around the country. It is a collection of players that includes Rodgers, the No. 2 offensive guard and the No. 102 overall player nationally.
"To be the No. 2 guy at my position is humbling, it is an honor," Rodgers said. "But that doesn't satisfy me and it shouldn't satisfy anyone, being No. 2.
"Going to Atlanta will give me the chance to show that I belong on the top line."
At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Rodgers already has 10 Division I offers. While he knows this event will be a challenge, he wants it to be as grueling as it can be.
"I want to see a bunch of big defensive tackles there," he said. "I told (Rivals.com national recruiting analyst) Mike Farrell to go get (No. 1 defensive tackle) Montravius Adams. I asked him to give me his number and let me call him."
Adams will be close to the event being from Vienna (Ga.) Dooley County and for the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country and No. 33 overall ranked player in the Rivals100, Rodgers has thrown the gauntlet down.
"Yeah I want him there," Rodgers said. "I am not showing up to not compete against the best."
He wasn't the only player Rodgers wanted to be at the event.
"I want all the top defensive linemen there," he said. "I want to challenge myself and I know I will be a challenge for them.
"This is the first year for the event and it is important to get all those top guys out there."
Currently committed to attending is the top player at numerous positions.
The nation's No. 1 defensive back, Kendall Fuller, from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel; the top quarterback from Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline, Max Browne; and the highest-ranked receiver, Ricky Seals-Jones from Sealy (Texas) High are all currently committed.
And for those that aren't committed, Rodgers has his recruiting speech ready:
"This is the best of the best, why would you not want to be there? Come take on the best and test yourself."
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Mike Farrell's take
Rodgers has dominated every event he's been at since his freshman year and this past weekend's Rivals.com/VTO New Jersey Elite 100 was no different. He has very good feet and when he locks his strong hands on someone, it is over, and he simply moves them to where he wants them. I haven't seen him beaten by speed rushers as well which is surprising because he's an interior lineman. I love his attitude and the way he calls people out. He wants to go against the best and has even gone on Twitter calling out Robert Nkemdiche and Montravius Adams to get them to attend the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge because he wants to dominate them like he has everyone else. He is underrated on every other website, but we know how good he's going to be.
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