Alex Rogers’ challenging path to Division I Football
DES MOINES, Iowa (BVM) — Underdog, that is how Alex Rogers describes himself.
Rogers is not supposed to be here.
He’s not supposed to be a Division I football player. He’s not supposed to be a captain for the Drake Bulldogs. He’s not supposed to be a two-time All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) Honorable Mention selection. And he’s certainly not supposed to be named to the PFL All-Academic Second Team and Honor Roll member — being a first-generation college student.
The odds have always been stacked against Rogers. His path to becoming a Division I athlete is unlike others.
No matter how many ups and downs Rogers endured in his journey to Drake, the 22-year-old overcame it all. The drive that helped get him out of Racine, Wis., and into Drake University is the same fuel that’s pushed him to become successful in all aspects of his life.
“The easiest way to remain motivated is to remember all of the bad times,” Rogers said.
No matter how successful Rogers becomes, it doesn’t appear that he will ever lose the motivation that resides within him. Like many great athletes, Rogers is driven, in large part, by the opportunity to overcome all odds. It’s the only way he knows how to.
“There were times growing up where we (Rogers, his mom and three older brothers) didn’t exactly know where the next meal was coming from or how a bill was going to be paid,” Rogers said. “Knowing that I couldn’t have my future family in a similar situation has always been motivation.”
Rogers grew up in Racine, raised by his mother — Kimberly Rogers, a single mother of four boys. Rogers attended J.I. Case High School, where he blossomed into a legitimate Division I football recruit.
Rogers, a class of 2017 graduate, earned first-team all-Southeast Conference and all-county as a senior, garnered second-team all-conference and all-county honors as a junior, and was named honorable mention all-conference recognition as a sophomore, all while maintaining a GPA above 4.0. Rogers’ consistent success on the gridiron and in the classroom led to a scholarship offer from the Drake Bulldogs. And in Jan. of 2017, Rogers committed to the Bulldogs.
The transition from Racine to Des Moines, Iowa was a daunting one for Rogers. This was the first time in his life that he would be separated from his mother and his three brothers. But much-like the 18 years of Rogers life leading up to this moment, it was just another obstacle he had to overcome.
Rogers credits his family, in large part, for playing a role in his success and achieving his dreams.
“My family has always been super supportive and has made sacrifices that have allowed for my success today,” Rogers said. “Being a first generation college student there were a lot of times where we didn’t know how we were going to get things done but we’ve always instilled trust in one another and made things happen.”
Since enrolling at Drake, Rogers has a new family that helps him flourish as a student and an athlete.
“As a student, Drake University has taught me that if you want to do well in something, you must spend the time to be great,” Rogers said.
Rogers, a computer science and data analytics major, has excelled in the classroom because of hardwork and dedication, something he has prided himself on since the beginning. The same mentality he upholds on the gridiron for his Drake football family.
For Rogers, whose back has always been against the wall, the support and commitment from the Drake football team has allowed him to feel comfortable while reaching his potential.
“Drake football has allowed me to always play with confidence,” Rogers said. “Having the coaches trust you and allow you to play in your own style is crucial developmentally.”
Rogers knows he is not a product of his environment, but a product of his decisions.
But the fifth year defensive back is grateful for his environment, as it has helped shape him into the player and person he is now.
“Growing up in a poor neighborhood, no one had money for the new gaming systems and expensive toys, so all we could do was go outside and play,” Rogers said. “Consistently playing with the older neighborhood kids whether it was football, basketball, and kickball, had the most impact on me as an athlete, because I was younger and the underdog.”
No matter what happens next season for Rogers or in the future, he will always be prepared and certain that he will overcome it. His motivation is at an all time high.
“My environment made me more motivated to succeed,” Rogers said. “I saw everyone going through the same cycle and I knew I wanted to break my own family cycle and do something different.”
Remember, Rogers is not supposed to be here.
