Tigers stocking up on defensive ends with Rogers' commitment

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Jun 19 11:55:44 GMT-05:00 2012

Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is probably beginning to feel a little bit like a kid on Christmas morning.

The Clemson coaching staff picked up the 11th commitment of the 2013 recruiting cycle – and eighth on the defensive side of the ball – when Dane Rogers Dane Rogers
Defensive End
6-3, 230
Crest, NC
View Full Profile of Shelby (NC) Crest gave his verbal Tuesday morning. Rogers is the cousin of 2012 defensive commitment Carlos Watkins.

The 6-3, 245-pound prospect is also the third highly-regarded defensive line prospect to say he will join the Tigers in the last week.

Rogers had offers from Clemson, UNC, Rutgers, NC State and Tennessee, but he told TigerNet that his high school coach at Crest – Mark Barnes – helped him make the decision Tuesday morning when discussing Clemson’s recent commitments from defensive ends Robert Nkemdiche Robert Nkemdiche
Defensive End
6-5, 265
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile and Elijah Daniel Elijah Daniel
Defensive End
6-4, 255
Avon, IN
View Full Profile.

“I was at workouts this morning, and my head coach came in and pulled me to the side,” Rogers said. “He pulled me to the side and said, ‘You know, Clemson is only signing three defensive ends this year. I know you like Clemson and Clemson is one of your top schools. Don’t let this slide by you and let somebody take your spot.’ After he said that, I just wanted to make it official.”

Rogers said he has known Clemson was the place he wanted to be for quite a while.

“Clemson has always been in my top two,” he said. “I went to Clemson for my first-ever college football game [FSU last season], and that was a great thing for my family and friends. Then I went to the basketball game right after coach Venables was hired and I got to meet him. But that football game against Florida St. – that was it right there.”

As a result of his conversation with Barnes, Rogers called recruiter Dan Brooks on his way home.

“I talked to both coach Brooks and coach Swinney, and they said they were running out of gas on defensive ends,” he said. “I called coach Brooks on my way home, and I told him I really wanted to be a Tiger. Coach Swinney said they were trying to rebuild their defensive line, and had gotten two really good commits earlier. They were thinking they just needed one more. Coach Swinney told me we blew up Tigertown this week.”

Not to mention the fact that he gets to once again play with Watkins something that hasn’t happened since middle school.

“I know Carlos is going to be on campus there next week, and I can't wait to see him ball out this year,” he said. “I know this is going to be a great experience for him and me, and both of our families. I can't wait for both of us to be playing football at the next level.”

He said Swinney had a final word for him.

“He told me to hunker down and get your senior year right, and lead my team back to state,” he said. “I want to finish my business here, and then get to Clemson. My mom and dad are running around the house, and they are all excited and happy for me. I feel good about this inside.”

Rogers said he has bulked up to around 245 pounds, and is working harder to get even better for this fall.

“I am around 245 pounds right now,” he said. “I am putting on muscle and getting faster. I want to be Speedy Gonzales when I get to Clemson.”