Houston Christian DT Joshua Rogers to sign with Texas A&M

On Wednesday, Joshua Rogers let the world in on his secret. 

The 6-5, 307-pound Houston Christian defensive lineman has known what he would do on National Signing Day since his January 20 official visit to Texas A&M, but he announced his intentions for the first time at 11:30 a.m. today.

“We were riding around, me and my host (Keeath Magee), my first night there on the official visit,” Rogers said. “We drove by Kyle Field, and we were already talking about if I was coming. He was telling me about a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes. We rode past Kyle Field and I took a look at it, and I was like I’ve been thinking about committing before, but I just didn’t think the time was right. I had to figure some stuff out. I just looked at him and I said, ‘Man, I have to make this happen.’ 

“I knew right then I was going to make this happen. So I called my mom that night when we got back, and I told her what I was thinking. And she said, ‘We’ll talk about it at breakfast.’ Then everything happened from there on, and I made my decision.”

After talking things over with his mother, he next let the Texas A&M coaches in on his plans. In fact, the next person he told was defensive tackles coach David Turner, followed by head coach Kevin Sumlin.

Coach Turner and Rogers have grown close over the course of the recruiting process, and the relationship was a big reason why the Aggies stood out for Rogers.

“He’s a fun guy with a great personality,” he said. “My whole family loves him. They called him Uncle Turner at one time. I was like, 'Wow!' He just reminds you of that uncle who is really cool and funny. 

“I know on the football side he’s going to treat me right. They showed me what practices with him are like. Other places I’ve visited didn’t show me like the real side. That’s what I was looking for too, you know. How they practice with intensity. 

“It’s cool to be funny and stuff like that, but there’s a time to be serious. He can do both and manages both well. That’s the type of person I am, and I don’t see why I shouldn’t go and be coached by the type of person I am.”

Turner was a big part of his decision, but there were several things about the Aggie program that put it over other finalists Oklahoma, Baylor, Houston, Texas and Ole Miss.

“I mean really just that relationship I had with Coach Turner. I couldn’t really turn that down,” Rogers said. “Then again, it’s kind of special with Kyle Field and stuff like that. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that. Not only with football, but it’s just getting the degree from A&M. 

“Coaches were telling me about the Aggie Network and stuff like that, but they showed me examples, and I actually know people who graduated from Texas A&M. Even if the league doesn’t work out, the Aggie Network is untouchable compared to all of these other schools. 

"And, of course, when picking a school you have to think about more than just football. You have to think about life because it’s not a four-year decision; it’s a 40-year decision. It was too much of a good opportunity to pass on. 

“I’m not dissing these other schools. They’re good programs, and there’s good stuff going on with them. But just, A&M – I felt like that’s where I needed to be, and that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. So I finally made the move to go there.”

Rogers' commitment and signing makes him the 27th member of Texas A&M’s 2017 recruiting class, and he joins a defensive line group that includes Jayden Peevy, Ondario Robinson, Tyree Johnson, and Micheal Clemons.

Now that his secret is out, he looks forward to his future in College Station. As he does, there’s one thing on his mind.

“Really just making a name for myself,” Rogers said. “Making a mark on Kyle Field. Then of course prospering in the classroom. It’s really just making a name for myself and proving a lot of people wrong. In the SEC, playing against big-time schools…I’m just trying to make a name for myself. That’s really it.”