What do we know about James Rogers?

Submitted by WichitanWolverine on

With 4-star cornerbacks JT Turner and Boubacar Cissoko, along with Blue Chip corners Donovan Warren and Demar Dorsey, no longer on the team, who can fill Woolfolk's shoes?

Cullen Christian is the first name that comes to mind.  Courtney Avery may also be able to contribute.  One name you don't see mentioned too often is James Rogers: a senior CB who hasn't seen the field much outside of special teams duties.

Does anyone out there have any reason (any at all, I'm desperate) to believe Rogers may be able to save our secondary?  I admit I know nothing about him.  

m83econ

August 17th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^

Recruited as a WR, has gone back & forth between corner & wideout, without much playing time at either.  Probably a great kid - but yikes!

Magnum P.I.

August 17th, 2010 at 9:37 PM ^

We know that if he steps up big time, seizes the opportunity, picks off about four passes this year, breaks up six more, and plays solid man-to-man, he'll have the opportunity to make an NFL roster next summer. It's a wonderful opportunity to start at cornerback for Michigan.

jmblue

August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

He came in as a WR, didn't find much playing time, and switched to DB.  We have had guys make that switch and pan out - Grant Mason and Morgan Trent are two recent examples.  But the thing about corner is that it's a position heavily reliant on natural ability, and good players usually see the field early on.  When you're talking about a senior CB who's hardly played, that's not a good sign.  I'd put my hopes more on the freshmen, Floyd, and any other WR we might move over.

At any rate, one thing we should all keep in mind is that one year ago, Woolfolk wasn't even playing cornerback.  He began last season as a safety and switched to CB around the Iowa game.  Again, because it's a position more reliant on natural ability than anything, he was able to quickly pick it up, to the point that we now consider him a bedrock of the defense.  It's possible that someone else could move there and similarly thrive.  We have a lot of good athletes at WR and S.  One might be the answer.

Magnus

August 17th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^

Rogers played at cornerback as a true freshman.  To say he "came in as a wide receiver" might be slightly misleading, since his first action was at CB.

Also, Woolfolk played cornerback in 2007 and 2008.  He switched to safety for half a season in 2009 before going back to cornerback, and he probably would have started at CB over Cissoko if there were any talent at safety whatsoever.  But there wasn't.  So I think it's also slightly misleading to suggest that Woolfolk was a position-switcher at cornerback.

Oscar Goldman

August 17th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^

maybe Rogers, or one of the other lesser-known CB's will be the next Kovacs - a totally unheralded kid who steps up and becomes a solid contributor.  Here's to hoping!

Magnum P.I.

August 17th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^

Other candidates for CB:

- Terrance Robinson

- Michael Shaw

- Jeremy Gallon

- DJ Williamson

Serve your team. There're still two full weeks of practice left. Uncle RichRod wants YOU!

Clarence Beeks

August 17th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^

I was actually wondering a similar sort of thing, but with some of the guys who don't earn the starting spot at SS, such as Carvin Johnson (who might not be a good candidate because it would cause a redshirt to be burned), or someone like Drew Dileo (who might be a good candidate, despite the major position switch, since he's not going to redshirt and is unlikely to actually see the field on offense).

clarkiefromcanada

August 17th, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^

It's god damned football. I am going to be confident that a Michigan Man will damn well stand up and play some quality corner for us this year. Here's to you James Rogers...I hope it is you.

kb

August 17th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^

try them all out at some point during the game, at which point their heads will have been f'd with so much from being burned by a WR, yelled at, and taken out the game, that none of them will have confidence.

CincyBlue

August 17th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^

but if he doesn't play, I expect him not to get drafted by the nfl, get signed by the Redskins and then get traded to the Ravens next pre-season for a 2nd round QB. 

 

 

 

Magnus

August 17th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^

I think Cullen Christian is the clear leader for Woolfolk's vacated position.

However, I wouldn't count out James Rogers.  I think he's had a raw deal so far at Michigan.  He could surprise some people, and he's a team-first guy.  He has good speed and athleticism and has actually been Woolfolk's primary backup at field corner (e.g. the wide side of the field) because of his speed.

CalifExile

August 17th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^

He was considered an athlete when he was recruited after playing RB and safety. Won the state title in the 200 (22.07). He was a national qualifier in the 100-meter dash and 400 relay at the AAU Track and Field Region 6 Championships in 2006, and finished second in the 100 dash and was third in the high jump in the 2006 State of Michigan AAU Track and Field Championships.