CARROLLTON — When offensive lineman Zach Rogers, an Arkansas commitment, went down with an injury against Plano on Sept. 12, he thought he had hurt a knee. That was until he tried to stand on it.
“It was the most disgusting feeling I've ever had, that's when my ankle started to hurt,” said Rogers, who will enroll at Arkansas in January.
Rogers, 6-2, 295, 5.09 of Carrollton, Texas, Hebron suffered a ACL injury before the start of his junior season, but he used the down time as a positive and tried to learn more about the game from the sideline.
“This one sucks a little bit more,” said Rogers of his senior season. “Just have to move on and get ready for Arkansas.”
After he got to the hospital and found out more about the injury, he called running backs coach Joel Thomas.
“Within five minutes of hanging up with him, (Sam) Pittman called me and coach B (Bielema) called me,” Roger said. “So I talked to all of them within a 15 minute span. It’s was good and they were showing they were behind me.”
Rogers signed an athletic financial aid agreement with the Hogs and knew Arkansas wouldn’t renege on his scholarship.
“But even if I haven’t and it wouldn't be a concern, because of the kind of guys that they are,” Rogers said.
Arkansas stands at 15 commitments after Jacksonville, (Fla.) offensive lineman Josh Allen’s transcript was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Rogers remembers when it was just he and Charleston quarterback Ty Storey were the Hogs’ only commitments.
“Kind of cool because it just started with just me and Ty last summer, just couple of us,” he said. “Colton (Jackson) was the third one and then just one more, one more, one more.”
He and Storey’s relationship started slow but now has bloomed into a solid friendship.
“Now he and I started to get to know wanted one another, he’s the right guy that you want at quarterback,” Rogers said. “He's pretty even, he doesn't have a lots ups and downs.”
Rogers has been impressed by the Razorbacks and the progress that’s been made since last year.
“Putting points up on guys like that is is impressive,” said Rogers of the Hogs’ three straight wins. “They’re coming in to Arlington with a lot of momentum, a little swag back in their step. I'm excited to see what happens Saturday.”