On the Mark
August 23, 2008 08:30 AM | General
August 23, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It turns out Mark Rodgers had to travel more than 3,000 miles to find his perfect home. Rodgers was looking for a place to play running back and West Virginia University just happened to be looking for one last spring.
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| Freshman Mark Rodgers has worked his way up to No. 2 on the depth chart at tailback.
WVU Photo Services |
Those two desires intersected last March when Rodgers’ high school coach found out that the Mountaineers were in the market for a backup tailback. Rodgers committed to Portland State after his senior year of high school in 2006, but he never went to school there instead staying at home. When Rodgers received his release from Portland State last spring the door opened for other schools to enter.
“I got released from Portland State and schools were able to talk to me and that’s when West Virginia came in after my high school coach heard that they needed a running back,” Rodgers said. “We sent a tape out here and they liked it and they offered me.”
Despite receiving his release after signing day, Rodgers said there were other schools in the mix for his services.
“I got offered from Washington State and some other schools,” he said. “Washington State was one of my top choices because that’s where my brother went.”
Doc Holliday convinced Rodgers to make a visit to West Virginia and Rodgers was pleasantly surprised with what he saw.
“My recruiting trip was nice. I had Boogie Allen. He was a good guy. He introduced me to some of the players on the team and they were cool,” Rodgers said. “The town was fun. It was no different from home as far as people wise and how they treat you.”
Other than West Virginia’s recent crop of running backs, Rodgers said he knew very little about the impressive running back history at WVU.
“I knew about Steve Slaton, Owen Schmitt and Noel Devine. That’s all I really knew about,” he said.
Rodgers had an outstanding prep career at Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, Calif., where he ran for 2,319 yards and scored 19 touchdowns during his senior season. Rodgers was an all-state selection and was the Los Angeles County league player of the year. He also finished fourth in the California state track meet with a 10.5 clocking in the 100-meter dash.
Speed like that fits in well at West Virginia University. In fact, Rodgers was actually surprised by how fast the Mountaineer players were when he first came to camp three weeks ago.
“My brother from Washington State, he always told it was much faster and he wasn’t lying. It’s true. The defense is fast,” Rodgers admitted. “I had to adjust to that.”
During the first two weeks of camp Rodgers was working with the slot receivers. The last week and a half, though, he’s been with the tailbacks where he is presently listed as the team’s No. 2 runner behind starter Noel Devine. Rodgers performed well in a couple of scrimmages and that has pushed him slightly ahead of junior college transfer Zach Hulce and true freshman Terence Kerns.
“They are all great players. I’m just trying to learn it. They had learned the playbook at the running back position before me,” Rodgers said. “I’m just trying to catch up to them and we’ll all be battling for the second position. We all have talent. They are all good players.”
Of course talent is not the sole determinant of playing time. The ability to pick up the offense, learn the protections and do the things without the football are just as important as carrying the ball. Rodgers admits that he’s still not to the point yet where things are instinctive and natural to him.
“I catch myself thinking too much out there,” he said. “Jock Sanders told me not to think and just play. Sometimes the thinking slows you down. I try to take advice from the older guys because they’ve been here before.”
Rodgers, also a backup on the kickoff return team, loves the way Offensive Coordinator Jeff Mullen spreads the football around and utilizes his playmakers. It’s an offensive tailor made for fast athletes.
“I love this offense – the passing and the running. Coach Mullen is a great coach,” Rodgers said.
Ironically, Rodgers says the easiest adjustment for him has been living on the East Coast. It didn’t take him long to recalibrate himself for earlier wake-up calls.
“As far as time wise I’ve caught up on my sleep. It’s pretty good. I’m used to it,” Rodgers said.
“School for the last few days has been pretty good. I’m learning my way around campus. I like the people. It’s very nice out here. The community is nice. It’s a nice place to be and I’m happy with my decision,” he said.
Rodgers said Mountaineer football is about to open a new fan club in Lawndale, Calif.
“My whole town is big West Virginia fans now,” he laughed. “This is going to work. I miss my family but I’m doing it for them. That’s what keeps me going: my mother, God and everything.”
