Notre Dame checked every box for Isaiah Rogers.
That’s why the 2027 Massachusetts running back announced his commitment to the Irish on Monday.
Rogers made the decision following a visit to South Bend for the Irish’s Junior Day last weekend, when he was able to spend extended time with the staff and get a clearer picture of how he fits within the program.
Rogers identified a trio of crucial factors earlier in the recruiting process and Notre Dame satisfied all three.
“I would just say my three things I preached to you before, culture, ability to go to the NFL and my relationship with the coaches,” Rogers told Irish Sports Daily.
Notre Dame running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and head coach Marcus Freeman certainly played major roles.
“Coach Seider and Coach Freeman are amazing coaches, great teachers who are going to develop me on and off the field,” said Rogers. “I feel like even setting me up going to Notre Dame outside of football. I feel like I would have a great opportunity.”
The Springfield, Mass., native chose Notre Dame over his other finalists, Georgia, Penn State and Indiana.
The recent visit to South Bend helped reinforce something he hadn’t always prioritized in his recruitment, realizing that preparing for a life beyond football didn’t mean selling his on-field goals short.
“I could do both with a Notre Dame degree,” he said. “I mean, even if going to Notre Dame for three years, I could always come back and get a great degree. Then after my career in football, I’d be set up for life with that degree. So going on that visit and talking to coaches and talking to players as well, it really opened my eyes to that fact.”
Rogers also spent time with current players during the visit, which gave him additional perspective on the program, especially chats with current running backs Kedren Young and Nolan James.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder sees a clear fit in how he would be used within the offense.
“They have a pro-style offense, so using me in all different types of ways, running the ball down the middle, outside, as a three-down back, catching the ball out of the backfield,” he said.
“It all fits me. It’s all things I work on every day. So I would just say using me as a three-down back and using me to all my strengths that I have.”
The Notre Dame staff clearly prioritized Rogers over the past couple months and that played a role in the Springfield Central High School star’s decision as well.
“They express it a lot,” he said. “I talk to them almost every day, if not every other day, just about what I could do there and anything that I need to learn, being coached up over the phone, not just about football, but about life. And just the fact that I can be developed, and my main thing is going to the next level. So showing me and with the evidence about how I can get to that next level.”
For Rogers, the decision brings an end to a long process and provides a sense of clarity moving forward.
“It feels great,” he said. “It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s a relief that I found the right fit for the next three, four years, and I’m extremely blessed.”
Rogers understands the decision also carries meaning beyond his own recruitment.
Central High School has established itself as an area and state power for over a decade and has produced multiple Division-I players during that time, including several Power-4 prospects, but Rogers’ commitment to Notre Dame is the biggest one yet.
“It feels great. It feels great to put the city on the map and I’m blessed for the opportunities that I’ve gotten through my coaches.
“Everything is an extreme blessing and I’m so thankful for it.”
Film Don’t Lie | Isaiah Rogers
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