With something to prove, Rolesville looks to follow Noah Rogers' lead

When it comes to recruiting in college athletics - especially at the Division I level - it's all about being 'wooed'. Programs rolling out the red carpet for its top prospect, all to show why they are theone. So I suppose it's no wonder why Rolesville star wide receiver Noah Rogers compared committing to a college... like dating.

"It was kind of like picking a girlfriend ( or boyfriend), it just felt right and that's where my heart was at," Rogers said. "When I first went up there I didn't really think I would've committed, but it's the spot for me."

Rogers is considered the top-ranked prospect from North Carolina in the 2023 class and had offers on the table from over two dozen programs including Alabama, Clemson, and in-state hopefuls North Carolina and NC State. The beginning of the process was fun for Rogers, getting to meet new people and talk with dozens of coaches. But it turned stressful for the highly-touted wideout once he got closer to making a decision.

"It definitely got overwhelming," Rogers said. "Me and my mom [and family] and kept it professional, organized and just had to tell people we weren't interested or it wasn't the right fit."

Rogers committed to the Buckeyes on June 22 and after that, the stress was released.

"I was looking to come in to the senior season committed and focused on just one school," Rogers said. "Definitely a weight off my shoulders."

The 6-foot-3 receiver caught an eye-popping 70 passes for 1,432 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. You don't have to look far to find clips of Rogers' flashy catches in the end zone. He's simply a playmaker. In every sense of the word. So it might come as a surprise that off the field, the future Buckeye is not so flashy at all.

"More than anything, the most impressive thing is how good of a teammate he is," said first-year Rolesville head coach Richard Shuping. "We all know his talent, but he's a great teammate always there to help them. You can't not see the talent, but what you don't see is how treats his teammates."

From how he handled recruiting to how he goes about his business on the football field, his quiet nature comes from looking up to his older brother. Cyrus Rogers is currently a redshirt freshmen at North Carolina.

"He always kept his football organized, quiet and always worked in silence," Rogers said. "I feel like I get a lot of that working in silence and moving quiet from him. He's a competitor and always working."

Rogers may be quiet, but he knows his voice is needed for his team to succeed this season.

"I need to step it up as a leader," Rogers said. "I feel like I play a big role in this team and if I'm not leading then that's not going to do us any good"

"That's the part we've been waiting for," Shuping said. "He's always been a good leader, but now he's really stepped up and taken over. It's his team now."

Focused on the now

Last season Rolseville fell a game short of a 4A state title appearance, falling to eventual state champion Cardinal Gibbons. The Rams have been on a mission ever since.

"The path has been paved for us but the goal is not finished," Rogers said. "It's important to me, I have a chip on my shoulder to get that goal done and win with my brothers."

"They're very hungry and feel like we have something to prove still," said Shuping. "We're looking forward to working our way back to that game."

The Rams can make a statement on their way back to that game starting Friday when High School OT's No. 2 team out of the West comes to town.

"A lot of guys are talking about how good East Forsyth is, so we get to show if we belong or what we need to do to belong," Shuping said. "It's exciting. It's a great measuring stick for us."

Rogers being the competitor he is echoes his coaches sentiment.

"It definitely gives the coaches the opportunity to see what we look like early on and for us to see what we can work on," Rogers said. "Who doesn't love competition and a good game of football early on?"

As for the rest of Rogers' senior season, his goal is to just have fun. He understands there's not much more to complete individually in his high school career. For now it's all about having fun with his brothers and making sure his teammates shine.

"Me getting the ball every play isn't something I'm worried about," Rogers said. "This season won't end until December. That's what we want. That's what I want. And I just can't wait for everyone to get their moment to shine then."