Cory Rodgers
Redshirt freshman shines on special teams
By Brent Yarina
Assistant Sports Editor

Cory Rodgers was forced to make a decision two years ago, a decision that would have left most college football prospects weighing each and every one of their options.

However, for this redshirt freshman wide receiver, his decision to sign with TCU over some of the most prestigious football programs in the nation, including Syracuse, Colorado and Louisiana State, was academic.

“It was the tradition of winning and wearing the purple that brought me here,” Rodgers said. “I didn’t really want to go to a big, big school. The main thing was my education. I get a chance to interact with my professors at TCU and classes are a smaller size, so I’m not just a number.”

If Rodgers’ performance on the playing field is any indication of how he feels about his decision to play football at TCU, he must have no regrets.

In his first two collegiate games, Rodgers has caught the attention of his teammates and coaching staff by excelling as a premier return man and showing promise as a wide receiver. Rodgers is already among the Conference USA leaders in punt return average and kickoff return average, where he is averaging 22.3 yards and 30.2 yards, respectively.

In fact, Rodgers has shown so many flashes of excellence this season that some of his coaches are comparing him to former football star LaTarence Dunbar, who now plays for the Atlanta Falcons.

Rodgers said he doesn’t allow the expectations some have set for him get in his way and tries to focus on improving and doing his job.

“I feel kind of special when I get compared to LaTarence Dunbar, but I’m nowhere near where he was,” Rodgers said. “I got a lot more work to do, so I just try to come out here every day and make plays and help my team win.”

Special teams coach Dan Sharp said Rodgers needs to improve his field vision and become a smarter runner before he can be in the same class as Dunbar. He said there is no doubt Rodgers will be a great receiver and returner at the collegiate level.

“Boy, it’s been awhile since I have seen anybody do the things he does when he gets the ball in his hands,” Sharp said. “Corey is getting better and better every week as a returner and a receiver. He’s getting on the field more as a receiver, too. When he does the same kind of things he does in the game, it doesn’t do anything but give us more confidence to put him in situations to help win football games.”