BHS graduate Rogers to join Rutgers football

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports editor
After a standout football career at Bloomfield High School, Ryan Rogers went up to Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, with a goal to attract attention from Division I college scouts.
Rutgers University noticed the 6-foot-4 receiver. Though the Scarlet Knights weren’t able to offer him a full scholarship at the time, they still asked him to join the team as a preferred walk-on.
Rogers accepted.
“It’s always his dream to play D-I ball and they are going to give him every opportunity to go out there and take a scholarship,” said BHS head varsity football coach Mike Carter of the 2010 BHS graduate.
As a preferred walk-on, Rogers  is treated as any other member of  the team, with a chance to earn a full scholarship.
The Bengals have established a nice pipeline to Worcester Academy, a school that Carter lauded.
“It’s a very, very nice school,” said Carter. “It’s like an Ivy League-type school. He is probably our fourth or fifth kid from here to go up there and do pretty well.”
Rutgers is coming off a tough 4-8 season that was marred by the tragic incident involving defensive lineman Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed after a tackle on the field in the win over Army at New Meadowlands Stadium.
Carter, indeed, is ecstatic for Rogers.
“He is a great kid,” said Carter. “Ryan wanted an opportunity like this and he was able to get it. He comes from a real good family and they are behind him 100 percent and we’re behind him. It’s a great opportunity for him to go out and chase a dream.”