Virginia Tech’s Do-It-All Fullback Sam Rogers

Aug 31, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies fullback Sam Rogers (45) runs the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the 2013 Chick-fil-A Kickoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The fullback position has never been a position of great value to a team but there are some fullbacks who seem to find ways to make great impacts at the collegiate and professional levels. Jay Prosch was one of the most critical pieces for the Auburn Tigers in their run to the national title game with Prosch being the lead blocker out of the backfield for Tre Mason. Fullbacks like John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers are used as redzone threats whether it be for a 2-yard touchdown run or a 4-yard touchdown reception.

The Virginia Tech Hokies have always seen to find good walk-on players like Jack Tyler and Willie Byrn but Sam Rogers also is a part of that group. The fullback from Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia was an unknown walk-0n last summer and had nowhere near the hype that a guy like Kendall Fuller had on arrival in Blacksburg. Of course, Fuller would go on to have a ridiculously good freshman season but Sam Rogers also did some damage.

Sam Rogers worked his way up the fullback depth chart very quickly and became the top fullback on the depth chart for the Hokies before the start of the season. Despite being the number 1 fullback, Rogers only amde two starts this past fall but when Rogers touched the field for the 257 offensive plays he was out there for, he found a way to make an impact.

Nov 16, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies fullback Sam Rogers (45) with the ball in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Rogers was a guy that could give Trey Edmunds or J.C. Coleman the lead block that they needed to avoid getting tackled for loss and potentially break out a big run. Rogers proved to be a tough player that would do what was necessary to get the job done and that is something all coaches want in a fullback.

On top of that, Sam Rogers also showed some ability to get out of the backfield and be an occassional target in the passing game for Logan Thomas. Rogers had 12 receptions for 78 receiving yards and an average of 6.5 yards per reception which are solid numbers. Rogers’s skills to make some plays in the passing game allow him to be more of an offensive weapon than just being a very good lead blocker.

Sam Rogers can make an impact as a blocker and in the passing game which are two things that will allow him to gain more playing time this upcoming fall. Rogers rarely actually ran the ball last fall but with the departure of Logan Thomas, Rogers might be relied on some more as a power runner deep in the redzone with the Hokies not having a quarterback that is willing to run with the ball between the tackles.

Sam Rogers is definitely the Hokies’ ultimiate do-it-all fullback that can make a positive impact this fall.

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