Joel Rogers is best known locally as the quarterback who led West Feliciana to the Division II nonselect semifinals last fall.
But his future is brightest at another position. Rogers took a major step toward playing safety/defensive back on an elite level by committing to LSU Monday.
The 6-foot, 180-pound senior announced his selected the Tigers over four other major finalists during a ceremony held in the West Feliciana gymnasium.
Texas, Alabama, TCU and Tennessee were Rogers’ other finalists.
Rogers is the No. 11 player on 247sports list of 2024 Louisiana prospects. He is listed as a three-star prospect.
“Joel is a great leader … he’s a hard worker. He is a guy who leads from the front and commands the respect of his peers,” first-year West Feliciana coach Devin Ducote said. “He has played a lot of football at a high level for a long time. Joel can run, change directions and make plays … he is a special player.
“From a defensive perspective he can process what the other team does and make plays. At quarterback, his decision-making process is positive and beneficial for his team. Joel puts us in position to succeed. He will play our high safety and our nickel star where he can make plays when we need him too.”
As a junior, Rogers put together impressive numbers for the Saints in their first season in the Class 4A ranks. He ran for 614 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Rogers also completed 58 of 105 passes for 996 yards and 11 TDs while leading the Saints to a District 6-4A title, a top 10 ranking and their first semifinals appearance since winning the Class 3A title in 2017.
Rogers is the first WFHS player to commit to a Power 5 school since Darius Davis signed with TCU after that 3A title season. Davis went on to become one of the nation’s top returning specialists for the Horned Frogs.
LSU has commitments from two safety commitments – Dashawn McBryde of Denham Springs and Ju’Juan Johnson of Lafayette Christian. Like Rogers, Johnson also plays quarterback.
Wide receiver Jazz Ferguson, who signed with the Tigers 2015 and later played at Northwestern State, is the last WFHS to sign with the Tigers.
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