Notre Dame RB Commit Isaiah Rogers Soaks In The Opening Experience

Isaiah Rogers‍ spent three days surrounded by many of the best football players in America.

The 2027 Notre Dame running back commit left Nike's The Opening Finals with memories, lessons and even a chance to meet one of the players he grew up idolizing.

"It meant a lot being invited out of just 120 kids," Rogers told Irish Sports Daily. "It meant a lot to me just going there and taking advantage of the opportunity."

The prestigious event at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., brought together many of the nation's top high school prospects along with several current NFL stars.

Rogers embraced every part of the experience.

"It went great," Rogers said. "I like to call it football heaven. Those three days I got to meet a lot of new people that I've never met before in my region, meet a lot of athletes that I look up to and just compete against the best high school kids in the country. It was a great experience. It was fun. 

“It was everything you could think of."

The Springfield Central standout also had the opportunity to interact with several NFL players, including Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Ja'Marr Chase, Kyler Murray, Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan among others.

Meeting Barkley was certainly one of the highlights.

"It was great," Rogers said. "That's someone I've looked up to since I was young and he was at Penn State. Just being able to meet him and take a picture with him, that was just a goal of mine. So for that to happen, it's just a dream come true."

Beyond the experience itself, Rogers believes competing against the nation's top talent will help prepare him for his senior season.

"Definitely," Rogers said. "Coming from that event, you're competing with the best guys in the country. So coming back home and applying what I learned and that game speed back at home, I should really be able to dominate this coming-up season."

With his recruitment already behind him, the focus has shifted almost entirely to his final high school season before arriving in South Bend.

"I'm really excited," Rogers said. "I'll be at some of the Notre Dame games, but it's only, what, five, six months away? I'm really excited to get out there and be able to start a new chapter."

Rogers remains in close contact with Notre Dame running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider, whose message has remained consistent throughout the summer.

"The hard part's out of the way," Rogers said of Seider's advice. 

"Now it's just really being able to lock back in on workouts and football. Make sure I'm always training, always working out and any advice or anything I need from him, he got me. But just to keep locked in on the season and finish strong in school as well."

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