In the same week as a Tribune report and Cal Poly announcement said that West Virginia running back Mark Rodgers would be transferring to Cal Poly for his junior season, another publication reported that Rodgers would be going elsewhere.
THIS OREGONIAN REPORT, which does not appear to be attributed to any sources, says Rodgers is transferring to Portland State and will be there in time for spring practice.
Rodgers did commit to Portland State out of Leuzinger High (Lawndale) when Cal Poly head coach Tim Walsh was in charge of the Vikings in 2007 but sat out a season and signed up with the Mountaineers after Walsh left to become the offensive coordinator at Army.
Rodgers said he was initially considering both schools when he decided to leave West Virginia but confirmed on the phone with me on Saturday afternoon that he was indeed coming to Cal Poly.
“I’m going to Cal Poly,” Rodgers said, and it will not be in time for spring practice. “I’ll probably be there when school starts in the fall. That’s when I’ll be coming.”
I have yet to talk to Walsh about this, but he made public comments about Rodgers at the team’s signing day news conference on Wednesday, which would have been an NCAA no-no without Rodgers signing a scholarship agreement with the university.
As the team loses three senior running backs who all started at times during the season, Rodgers was presented as the centerpiece of the recruiting class during the news conference.
The news of Rodgers’ transfer first appeared in THIS STORY, where Rodgers said he was looking forward to earning a starting spot for the Mustangs. At the time, Rodgers said he decided not to visit Portland State, not wanting to waste the school’s time.
Rodgers said he was not sure how there could have been a mix up.
“Probably just the recruiting process,” Rodgers said. “I was shooting at both of them.”
Of the Portland State coaches, Rodgers added: “Yeah, they know I’m going to Cal Poly.”
The Rodgers instance wasn’t the only Cal Poly football mix-up this week. The LOS ANGELES WAVE reported that Inglewood High defensive back James Grace was going to Cal Poly, followed by a quote from Grace’s new coach.
The only problem is that the coach who was quoted is from New Mexico, and Grace signed with the Lobos, not the Mustangs.
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February 8th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Rodgers seems to be a kid of character. I don’t think we’re getting duped here.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:51 am
“I’ll probably be there when school starts in the fall. Thats when I’ll be coming” Yeah yeah that’s it, I’ll be there in the fall! Sure.