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Hokies Football: Sam Rogers is a Role Model On and Off The Field

By now, most Virginia Tech football fans know of the great effort that Sam Rogers always puts into every single game. Over his first three years in Blacksburg, Rogers has become a huge fan favorite of most Hokies in part due to his old school football style and his ability to earn the tough yards that most can't due to his effort. As Rogers enters his final year in Blacksburg, there is no doubt that he is a model Hokie on and off the field. On the field, Rogers has gone from walk-on to being one of the most intriguing offensive players for the Hokies alongside former four-star recruits Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges. Rogers was a talented quarterback/offensive weapon at Hanover High School as he earned All-State First Team honors his senior year. The Mechanicsville, Virginia native had some lower-level scholarship opportunities to play quarterback including one from William & Mary. Instead, he took a walk-on offer with the Hokies and Virginia Tech fans are definitely happy he did. Rogers made the move to fullback and despite being a true freshman walk-on, Rogers opened the 2013 season as the starting fullback and has had that job locked down since. Over his first three years in Blacksburg, Rogers has been way more than just a fullback that blocks and gets a few goal-line touches. There have been times when Rogers has been the Hokies primary running back or one of the top backs in a rotation as he was with Travon McMillian for some of last season. The stats show the value that Rogers brings as he had 32 carries for 140 yards in 2014 and 61 carries for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2015. In addition, Rogers has the versatility and skills to be a weapon in the passing game as Rogers has had 48 catches over his three seasons with 12 catches for 78 yards as a freshman, 20 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore, and 16 catches for 193 yards and 2 touchdowns as a junior. Rogers has also had some big performances in big games including a receiving touchdown in both Ohio State games with his 2015 juke move on an Ohio State defensive back being a career highlight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zexEvQRS5Ro More than making some big plays and putting together well above-average stats for a fullback, Rogers has always done the things that don't get counted on the stat sheet well. Rogers has always been an effective blocker that can make that one key block that can turn a short run into a big gain. Entering the 2016 season, Rogers is one of the top fullbacks in college football and with another strong season, there is definitely a chance that Rogers could get selected in the 2017 NFL Draft which is impressive for a fullback. While Rogers has impressive work ethic on the field that any football player should look to exemplify, Rogers works just as hard off the field. Rogers earned a scholarship about a week into his first fall on campus in Blacksburg while receiving accolades as a team leader off the field in practice and the weight room in his first spring in Blacksburg. The most impressive part of Rogers may not be the person Rogers is as a football player but the man he is off the field. Rogers is probably the least likely player in college football to get in trouble with the law or have a team violation off the field. Rogers is a man of integrity and character that cares for his teammates, his school, and the Blacksburg community. Rogers has given back to the university by being a part of the Student Hokie Club Leadership Council and promoting the importance of giving back to the university whether it be for academics, athletics, or research along with increasing student knowledge of the Hokie Club. Maybe the most important part of his life is his faith as Rogers is probably more heavily invested in his Christian faith than anything else. Rogers has been heavily involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Virginia Tech while also speaking to youth all around the New River Valley. Rogers has also helped raise money for Young Life in the New River Valley through participating in a Young Life golf tournament as a dignitary to help raise money. Rogers is also a leader in faith among athletes at Virginia Tech, and has been a great role model for his teammates and will continue to be one this fall especially the incoming freshmen. Rogers is also quite a personable person that you can tell is not someone to overreact or anger easily, something that is admirable on and off the field. Rogers has proved himself to be a great football player but on and off the field, there is no doubt that he is a model Hokie that alumni will be happy to have their kids looking up to.
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