Michigan football commitment Davion Rogers cut in the Prescott Burgess mold
Growing up in Warren, Ohio, Davion Rogers didn’t have to look far for a football player he wanted to emulate. Prescott Burgess, a former Michigan linebacker now with the Baltimore Ravens, lived across the street.
Rogers didn’t know Burgess well, but he remembers “looking out that window like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I want to be.’”
So when Michigan offered Rogers a scholarship during his official visit last weekend, Rogers jumped at the chance to follow in his idol’s footsteps.
“Nothing against West Virginia,” said Rogers, who dropped a long-standing commitment to the Mountaineers to pledge to Michigan. “Just in the end, Michigan is just the better program. Many people don’t get offers from Michigan. You get that, that’s an honor, especially where I’m from.”
The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Rogers and his teammate, receiver D.J. Williamson, will join Burgess, Mario Manningham and Carl Diggs as recent Warren Harding standouts to play for the Wolverines.
Williamson committed to Michigan last spring. Signing day is Feb. 3.
Harding coach D.J. Dota said Rogers and Burgess are similar players, though Rogers is taller and more athletic.
“He always seems to come up with a play when you need one, it just happens,” Dota said. “And that’s kind of how Prescott was as a junior. He was kind of banged up his senior year, but when he did get to play it just seemed like he made a play when you needed it. He had natural instincts.”
Rogers said he committed to West Virginia over Michigan State early in the recruiting process because “my grade situation, it was looking bad,” and he didn’t know what other offers he’d receive.
“(Michigan) told me that they offered me back when they offered D.J., but I never saw the papers,” Rogers said.
After buckling down in the classroom last semester, Rogers said he’s “on track to be qualified.” He’ll play either outside linebacker or defensive end for the Wolverines, depending on how much he adds, and expects to contribute as a freshman.
“Let me tell you something,” Rogers said. “I ain’t never sat on the bench, I ain’t looking to sit on the bench.”
Dota said Rogers, who had six sacks, an interception, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt for Harding last year, could be an impact special-teams player as a freshman and have a Burgess-like career at Michigan.
"Athletically he's ready," Dota said. "He’s a pretty explosive player, has great knee bend. There’s a lot of great things to say about him. I just hope that when he gets there he takes on what he needs to do, and I think he will. He is passionate about football."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Ral
Sat, Jan 23, 2010 : 12:50 p.m.
This Guy looks like a beast, but he needs to put his work in before he gets time on the field. We need some more depth before we start talking 97 Defense. I see it all coming together in teh near future. I also see a bowl victory coming in 10' GO BLUE!!!!
buzz
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:42 p.m.
UM will return to that. All these prospects have potential to be player like in the 1997 season. RR knows wat hes doing. And UM will soon have that nasty D as it had before, and the offense will be way more dynamic. VERY DANGEROUS COMBO. just be patient and all will go well for UM. GO BLUE!!!!
buzz
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
UM will return to that. All these prospects have potential to be player like in the 1997 season. RR knows wat hes doing. And UM will soon have that nasty D as it had before, and the offense will be way more dynamic. VERY DANGEROUS COMBO. just be patient and all will go well for UM. GO BLUE!!!!
bluesteel
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 4:32 p.m.
i agree with you tater. i drink of the tater-aid. i get censored alot, though, because i defend rich rodriguez every time theo212 bashes him with her sarcasm.
buzz
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
Or maybe he just didnt see the offer DUH. It happens to many other prospects. And NoBowl4Blue why dont u get a life and go blog on another teams blog cuz obviously ur not a UM fan. And there r so many other things i wanna say but cant so yeah u lucky BOI. GO BLUE
NoBowl4Blue
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
Michigan said they offered him previously but he never saw the papers............hmmm sounds like a BS coverup tale.
buzz
Fri, Jan 22, 2010 : 12:53 a.m.
Ty, nice to hear from people who feel confident about next year and show support for UM. thats a true Blue Fan. nice to see the positives in this article than the others. Like i said earlier UM looks bright in the future. RR spread option is unstoppable. He lost few games because he couldn't recruit beast defensive players at WV like ha can at UM. SO for those who say he cant coach and call him DRod. I can prove all yall wrong jus try challenge me. TY again to all u trueBlue fans. Go BLue!!!!
lifeisgood
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 10:11 p.m.
I am so glad for you! I grew up in Warren--and there were both sides of the tracks---there still is. Take this opportunity and run with it! Ann Arbor/Saline is a great place. Congtrats again.
inrodwetrust
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
I think the defense made a real statement the last game of the season. It was the offense and not the defense that didn't show up against the bucks. More than anything else the real problem with the defense was lack of aggression, violence of action is the key with these kids, passion, drive, spark... outside of BG there was much to be desired out there on D. I can deal with an undersized Jordan Kovacs, a Mike Williams who hits but forgets to tackle and even guys who jump offsides but really stick it to the other team when they do. All I would beg and plead with them is to play the game with passion. The rest will work its self out. Inspire the boys and the rest will work its self out. They just play on thier heels, I love my team but it breaks my heart when they dont play with fire. Aggression, violence of action, get in there and hit, make a stick. Thats what these new guys bring in.
Chango
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 9:11 p.m.
Annnnnnnd thats the Buzz, you heard it! Big things from a D that no one is expecting anything from. Well put!
buzz
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 8:22 p.m.
No need for him on Offense we have enough. This guy has speed and size which is what the defense needs. Kid looks very promising. Came from a high school where many UM greats were recruited. I have a feeling this kid will be a play maker. I will enjoy seeing him play next year. Defense will still be young but they look to be improving. Many say the Defense will suck more next year cuz BG and DW are leaving but there r always players who will step up. I expect the defense to be a major surprise next year. GO BLUE!!!!
Commoncents
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.
If he has the effort to succeed (grades wise) at Michigan he'll be fine.... lets just hope the effort is there.
leathercouch
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 7 p.m.
hopefully he can stay eligible. struggling in high school with D1 offers is not a good sign.
Chango
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 : 5:56 p.m.
Nice! I like having a player like this play for Meeechigan! Hopefully you will be playing this year.