Countdown to Kickoff: 65 Days (Wes Rogers)
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Hoosiers offensive lineman Wes Rogers gets out in front of and blocks for former Indiana Running back Stephen Houston. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Written By Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
The hot/rainy summer days continue to melt away, drawing Hoosier Nation nearer to hearing that familiar rendition of "Indiana, Our Indiana" by the Indiana Marching Hundred. With 65 days left until the Hoosiers take the field, we will look at the athlete who sports number 65 on Saturdays in the fall, Wes Rogers.
The Indianapolis native played his prep ball at Lawrence Central High School, then snapping the pigskin to former Hoosier quarterback Tre Roberson. After committing to Indiana nearly four years ago on July 11, 2011, Rogers' high school coach Mark West gave him a glowing endorsement, "One of the best kids I've coached. As a kid and a worker." West further emphasized how vital the young man's play was to the success of the program, "He's very special and was huge in the progress we made the past few seasons."
| Wes Rogers - Center/Guard | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | RS Junior 6'4''/300 Indianapolis, In Lawrence North | Season | Played | Started |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2013 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 2012 | Redshirt | |||
After racking up multiple accolades during his high school career for his stellar work in the trenches, including being named to the Indiana Associated Press Class 5A All-State team, Rogers made his way south to Bloomington during the summer of 2012. He saw action during the 2013 season as a redshirt freshman, starting in two games and playing in five total. His efforts earned him recognition as an honorable mention on the BTN.com All-Freshman team.
In 2014 he started in two games at center and played in six games overall during the year. In each of the past two seasons the Hoosiers offense has set multiple records, both passing and rushing. The big guys upfront, including Rogers, deserve a lot of credit for opening up holes for Indiana running backs and giving the team's quarterbacks plenty of time to survey the field for open receivers.
Future Outlook
With the graduation of Collin Rahrig, the Hoosiers will be looking for a new center and they are certainly not short on experienced options. Wes Rogers will be in a heated battle with fifth-year offensive lineman Jake Reed. Regardless of who ends up winning the starting job, both will get ample opportunity to contribute this fall when needed along the interior of the offensive line.