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Signing day: Son of deaf parents will join Iowa State football program | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com
Sign language offers Charles Rogers an unlimited number of gestures he can use to communicate.
He only needed one, however, to express his feelings about joining the Iowa State football program.
“Whenever I think about Iowa State, I think happy,” said Rogers, the son of deaf parents. “That’s patting your hands on your chest, and moving them upward.”
Rogers, a defensive back from Iowa City West, is among 19 players expected to sign a national letter of intent with the Cyclones today.
It’s a recruiting class some experts have ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 Conference, but coach Paul Rhoads and his staff have a knack for turning unheralded prospects into breakout performers.
Rogers, a three-year starter at quarterback for the Trojans, fits the profile.
“Charlie is one of those kids, he’s overcome a lot of obstacles,” West coach Brian Sauser said. “Even his freshman year, he was a little bit of an at-risk kid who completely changed his life around.”
Rogers, who learned sign language before he could talk, was 9 years old when he moved to Iowa City from Joliet, Ill. When his parents split up, Rogers lived with his father, Charles Buddy Rogers Jr., and his grandfather, Charles Buddy Rogers Sr.
He was also cared for by a network of supporters who helped reshape his life.
“It wasn’t long before Charlie just became part of our family,” said Mike Recker, who met Rogers through a mentoring program at Parkview Church. “He was like one of our kids.”
Rogers traces his success in sports to his father.
“My dad played football when he was younger,” Rogers said. “When I got involved in football, I kind of fell in love with it.”
Rogers showed glimpses of his abilities as a freshman kick returner, but academic concerns threatened to blindside his prep career.
“There was some talk about whether or not he would even be in athletics here at the high school,” Sauser said.
The summer before Rogers’ sophomore season was spent at seven-on-seven camps, bonding with teammates and forging a future.
“He really came into his own,” Sauser said. “And to know football had a huge impact on that is awesome.”
Last fall, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Rogers threw for 2,128 yards and rushed for 1,191 more — accounting for a total of 41 touchdowns.
He also thrived in the classroom, earning mostly As and Bs.
“I think Charlie could get any grades he wants to get,” Recker said. “It was pretty much just a matter of how much time he wanted to put into it. He’s pretty sharp.”
Away from school, Rogers took on the role of babysitter for Sauser’s sons, Dallas (6) and Dodge (9).
“Just seeing how Charlie interacts with those two guys has been awesome,” Sauser said. “Every time he sees those guys it’s high-fives and hugs.”
Rogers made recruiting visits to Ohio State, Michigan State and Minnesota before choosing the Cyclones in September.
“Charlie did all the leg work,” Recker said. “He did all the computer background stuff. He checked everything out. He was highly motivated and really interested in this whole process.”
Once Rogers committed, he proudly wore cardinal and gold in the heart of Hawkeye country.
“I try to wear as much Iowa State gear as I can,” he said. “Just so everybody knows I’m a Cyclone.”
Rogers’ allegiance to the Cyclones becomes official when he signs today.
“It’s moving toward a new chapter in my life,” he said, “moving on to a big change and big opportunities.”
Sign language offers Charles Rogers an unlimited number of gestures he can use to communicate.
He only needed one, however, to express his feelings about joining the Iowa State football program.
“Whenever I think about Iowa State, I think happy,” said Rogers, the son of deaf parents. “That’s patting your hands on your chest, and moving them upward.”
Rogers, a defensive back from Iowa City West, is among 19 players expected to sign a national letter of intent with the Cyclones today.
It’s a recruiting class some experts have ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 Conference, but coach Paul Rhoads and his staff have a knack for turning unheralded prospects into breakout performers.
Rogers, a three-year starter at quarterback for the Trojans, fits the profile.
“Charlie is one of those kids, he’s overcome a lot of obstacles,” West coach Brian Sauser said. “Even his freshman year, he was a little bit of an at-risk kid who completely changed his life around.”
Rogers, who learned sign language before he could talk, was 9 years old when he moved to Iowa City from Joliet, Ill. When his parents split up, Rogers lived with his father, Charles Buddy Rogers Jr., and his grandfather, Charles Buddy Rogers Sr.
He was also cared for by a network of supporters who helped reshape his life.
“It wasn’t long before Charlie just became part of our family,” said Mike Recker, who met Rogers through a mentoring program at Parkview Church. “He was like one of our kids.”
Rogers traces his success in sports to his father.
“My dad played football when he was younger,” Rogers said. “When I got involved in football, I kind of fell in love with it.”
Rogers showed glimpses of his abilities as a freshman kick returner, but academic concerns threatened to blindside his prep career.
“There was some talk about whether or not he would even be in athletics here at the high school,” Sauser said.
The summer before Rogers’ sophomore season was spent at seven-on-seven camps, bonding with teammates and forging a future.
“He really came into his own,” Sauser said. “And to know football had a huge impact on that is awesome.”
Last fall, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Rogers threw for 2,128 yards and rushed for 1,191 more — accounting for a total of 41 touchdowns.
He also thrived in the classroom, earning mostly As and Bs.
“I think Charlie could get any grades he wants to get,” Recker said. “It was pretty much just a matter of how much time he wanted to put into it. He’s pretty sharp.”
Away from school, Rogers took on the role of babysitter for Sauser’s sons, Dallas (6) and Dodge (9).
“Just seeing how Charlie interacts with those two guys has been awesome,” Sauser said. “Every time he sees those guys it’s high-fives and hugs.”
Rogers made recruiting visits to Ohio State, Michigan State and Minnesota before choosing the Cyclones in September.
“Charlie did all the leg work,” Recker said. “He did all the computer background stuff. He checked everything out. He was highly motivated and really interested in this whole process.”
Once Rogers committed, he proudly wore cardinal and gold in the heart of Hawkeye country.
“I try to wear as much Iowa State gear as I can,” he said. “Just so everybody knows I’m a Cyclone.”
Rogers’ allegiance to the Cyclones becomes official when he signs today.
“It’s moving toward a new chapter in my life,” he said, “moving on to a big change and big opportunities.”