LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Amari Rodgers’ recruitment had its twists and turns. The son of USC assistant coach Tee Martin, Rodgers was once committed to USC. He backed off that pledge in December of 2015 before pledging his services to Clemson. A Tennessee-based prospect, Rodgers has a unique view of the recruiting process.
The four-star wide receiver recently spoke to Rivals.com about his Clemson pledge, his father's recruiting advice and a variety of other topics.
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Rivals.com: What’s it like going through the recruiting process with a father so close to the situation? How was your recruitment different because of your dad’s coaching situation?
Rodgers: It’s different because I knew a lot more going in, My dad taught me a lot about recruiting growing up.
What kind of advice did he give you?
Just to stay open and keep my eyes open because you never know. A coach you like can be recruiting you to some school now, but take a new job a few months later. He stressed committing to a coach and not a school.
Have you ever heard your dad recruit? Have you witnessed his pitch?
Actually, yeah. I’ve never seen it in person. I’ve just heard him on the phone with recruits and stuff. It’s kind of like me when I try to recruit people to come to Clemson.
Does he have a “recruiting voice?” Everyone changes their voice on the phone, right? Does he do that with recruits?
Yeah. He tries to act cool or something. It’s definitely different, When he gets off the phone, he’s back to being a dad again.
What was it about Clemson? What sold you?
It was a dream school for me, so it was everything. It was a dream since I was 13-years-old. You know, little things impress you when you’re young. Ever since I saw them run down the hill, I was like, “Wow. I want to do that one day.” Then when I went on my visit, I just fell in love even more.
Aside from the hill, what are your earliest Clemson memories?
When they beat Ohio State in the Orange Bowl three years ago is probably my earliest Clemson memory.
Okay, a better question: Who’s your favorite Clemson player of all-time?
Of all-time? Sammy Watkins. I feel like I relate to him. With his speed, I relate to him. He’s not that big but he takes off on people. He’s a great route runner.
Clemson is part of the playoff again. What do they – or anybody, really – have to do to get by Alabama? People are looking at them as unbeatable, right?
They just have to play mistake free. I think you have to get turnovers to beat Alabama. That’s what it’s gonna take.
Let’s talk about your recruiting visits. They’ve always fascinated me. I obviously got to go on roughly zero of them. Tell me about your Clemson trip, and not the normal stuff. What kinds of things did they show you off campus?
You get close to the players. You go stay with them overnight. You go out with them and meet the people that go to school there and hang out.
So you’ve been to Clemson a bunch of times now. What’s the best restaurant there?
Smoking’ Pig.
Barbecue? You should never eat barbecue outside of Kansas City.
Nah. It’s the best. Seriously. Kirk Herbstreit picked it as the best restaurant.
Kirk Herbstreit? What does he know? He’s not a food critic. He’s just some guy on a TV show.
Whatever, man. Go and get the ribs. I get a rack of ribs and mac and cheese and mashed potatoes
What’s going on with these three wristbands you have on? What causes are they for?
I got this one as a remembrance for my friend that passed away last year. This second one says, “Talk about God” because I want God to always be with me. This one is for an organization I learned about at The Opening. It’s for mentoring kids with mental disabilities or kids with cancer. It says, “Never ever give up.” We hung out with some of those kids and it stuck with me. This last band is a Clemson one.
Prediction time. I know you’re taking Clemson, but give me he score of the Fiesta Bowl.
I’m gonna say it’s within 10 points. I’ll say 31-24 Clemson.
