By Michael McAllister
DeJuan Rogers is a three-star cornerback prospect from Michigan. Recently, we spoke with Rogers to discuss his game, his recruitment, and when he will make a decision.
Nation of Orange: Tell us about your game and the type of player you are.
DeJuan Rogers: I feel like I’m an all around player. I can cover well and I can tackle well, which a lot of corners don’t do. What I bring to a team is working hard and trying to be the best.
Nation of Orange: What parts of your game are you working on to get ready for next season?
DeJuan Rogers: I work on everything even my strong points and my weak points. I’ve been working a lot of game situations, my hips to make them more flexible. Pretty much just working on defense and what certain receivers will do. Trying to read their routes, to help me get an edge on a certain guy.
Nation of Orange: When you’re watching film on a receiver, what tendencies are you looking for to help you cover them?
DeJuan Rogers: I look for where they line-up. Do they line-up outside, or close to the inside. If they come off the ball, and it’s a running play, they may not come off the ball as hard. But if it’s a pass play they might come off hard. I look for things like that to kind of see, if they line-up far towards to the numbers they could be running a slant or a fade route. But if they line-up closer, he can run a corner route or an out or something like that.
Nation of Orange: How was your high school season last year?
DeJuan Rogers: As a team we didn’t do too well. I feel I had a good season, but it could always be better. That’s what I’m working on this year, to have a better season.
Nation of Orange: What are your goals for your senior season?
DeJuan Rogers: I want to win a state title.
Nation of Orange: Talk about the recruiting process. Who has extended offers and who else is showing interest?
DeJuan Rogers: I have offers from Syracuse, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Toledo. Others schools showing interest are Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Pitt has shown a lot of interest, and Cincinnati.
Nation of Orange: Are you expecting offers from any of the schools that have shown interest but haven’t offered yet?
DeJuan Rogers: Yes, I think I could get some offers from some of those schools.
Nation of Orange: Talk about Syracuse. Who has been recruiting you from there and what have they been telling you?
DeJuan Rogers: Tyrone Wheatley is my recruiter. He’s been saying he likes what I do on film. He likes how I come up and the way I cover. He said I could be a great asset to their program.
Nation of Orange: Have you had the opportunity to speak with coach Marrone at all?
DeJuan Rogers: No. Actually I’m trying to schedule a visit to Syracuse pretty soon.
Nation of Orange: When were you looking at taking a visit?
DeJuan Rogers: Within the next week or so. I was talking to another Syracuse recruit they had offered named Charles Davis (RB from Indiana currently attending Milford Academy). We are trying to set it up together.
Nation of Orange: You have a bunch of offers and interest, taking visits, etc. So where are you in your recruiting process?
DeJuan Rogers: I want to take a visit to Northern Illinois. I’m close to committing. I’m going to commit pretty soon, within the next couple weeks.
Nation of Orange: Do you have any favorites right now?
DeJuan Rogers: I like Toledo, they’ve shown the most interest. So they’re probably #1 right now. But Northern Illinois has shown a lot of interest as well. I haven’t had a chance to see Syracuse yet, so that’s where I’d put everything. After I take the visits to those schools I will have enough information to make a decision.
Nation of Orange: Have you visited Toledo already?
DeJuan Rogers: Yes. I’ve been to Toledo about three times.
Nation of Orange: What are you like off the field?
DeJuan Rogers: Off the field, I work out at home, hang out with my friends. Watch movies and hang out. Pretty much just watch sports, ESPN.
Nation of Orange: Who’s going to win game 7 Heat or Celtics, and who’s going to win the NBA Finals?
DeJuan Rogers: The Heat over the Celtics. And the Heat over the Thunder in the Finals.
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Photo credit: 247sports.com
