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Rogers one of five Warren Harding graduates on YSU’s roster
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Penguins linebacker Davion Rogers (11), a freshman from Warren Harding, works out Sunday during training camp.
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Freshman tailback Demond Hymes, also part of the Warren Harding connection at YSU, participates in agility drills. Sunday’s practice marked the second day of training camp.
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Less than two months ago, Davion Rogers’ future arrived in his mailbox.
The former Warren Harding standout originally signed to play linebacker at the University of Michigan in February 2010 but was forced to leave the team after failing to qualify academically. He eventually decided to transfer to Youngstown State, but before he could join the team, he first had to score an 18 on the ACT.
“I was at home when I got that mail and saw I got that 18,” he said. “Then I confirmed it with my guidance counselor.
“It was just all happy thoughts after that.”
Rogers is one of five Warren Harding graduates on YSU’s roster as the team takes on a Raider flavor. At 6 foot 6, 215 pounds, Rogers needs only to stand up to stand out among the Penguin linebackers, but it’s the shortest Raider who talks the biggest game.
True freshman Demond Hymes (5-9, 190) was the first Harding player to commit from this year’s recruiting class — he eventually brought along Rogers, cornerback Jimmy May Jr. and offensive lineman Santiago Mason, who signed with FCS member Texas College in February before opting for YSU — and he might also be the first to see the field.
Since enrolling last month, Hymes has drawn raves from the coaching staff and his teammates for his smooth running style.
He’s also not afraid to make headlines with his mouth.
“I’m here to play,” Hymes said. “I’m here to start.
“I see it as, I’m a hard-working freshman. I’m not here to sit. I know the other players are not here to sit, but I’m challenging [for a starting spot]. I see myself as an NFL player. This is a higher level of football, and I’m a higher level of talent.”
Considering YSU’s starting tailback is junior Jamaine Cook, who earned first team all- conference honors in the preseason and is considered the team’s best player, Hymes isn’t likely to start, at least not yet. But even with talented backs like sophomores Jordan Thompson and Adaris Bellamy ahead of him on the depth chart, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field.
“He’s smooth, isn’t he?” Penguins coach Eric Wolford said of Hymes. “He can run through a whole bunch of guys and not get touched. That’s a pretty good sign. I like guys that don’t get touched.”
Hymes ran for 1,209 yards and 16 TDs last fall before breaking his ankle in Week 10 and missing Harding’s playoff game against Cleveland Glenville, which it lost 41-6. (“If I was there, it would have been a different game,” he said.) After committing to YSU in late November, he got late offers from four Division I schools, including Big Ten member Minnesota.
“I wasn’t worried about that; I stayed strong to my commitment,” he said. “The coaches [at YSU] told me I was going to be on the field, and that’s what I’m doing.
“If I had went somewhere else, I’d have been sitting, wasting time.”
The Penguins had just one Harding player on last year’s roster — receiver Pat White, who transferred from junior college — and White was the first since 2006.
When asked about the Harding influx, Hymes said, “It was a great place for everyone to come. Our fans can come, our parents can come and we like to play Division I football, and that’s what we came to do.”
Rogers feels the same way. Once Michigan was no longer in the picture, he looked for somewhere he could play and feel comfortable. YSU offered both.
“The coaches here really stayed on my side,” Rogers said. “It helps being around people you’ve played with already. I like it here. I like being close to home.”
Rogers, who also had offers from Michigan State, West Virginia, Toledo and Ohio coming out of high school, is fast and rangy, but he knows he needs to pack on some weight. Right now, he looks more like Randy Moss than Ray Lewis.
“I’m just trying to get bigger,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to prove.
“I’m somebody that’s going to work hard, going to get to that football and try to bring a winning mentality back around here.”
Added Hymes, “We’re hoping to bring another title to our school.”
YSU Notebook
Standing out: The Penguins won’t put on pads for a few more days, but several true freshman skill players have already opened some eyes. One of those players is 5-foot-6 wide receiver Andre Stubbs, who showed an impressive burst on kick returns during Sunday’s practice. At one point, sophomore tight end Carson Sharbaugh yelled over to head coach Eric Wolford, “Stubbs is too fast.” When Wolford smiled and nodded, Sharbaugh added, “Just like me.” Wolford also praised freshmen receivers Christian Bryan, Andrew Williams and 6-foot-4 Kintrell Disher. “Disher, you just throw the ball up to him,” Wolford said. “Doesn’t matter where it is, he’ll catch it.” Their performance is an encouraging sign for the Penguins, whose biggest question coming out of fall camp was, “Who is going to be the No. 1 receiver?” Senior wideouts Pat White and Ely Ducatel both made nice plays during practice as well. “Look at Ely — he didn’t look like that ever before,” said Wolford after watching Ducatel made a leaping grab. “And Pat White’s done better. He had one drop, but then he came back and made two great plays. It’s early, but it’s encouraging.”
Thinking big: Wolford was asked after practice how quickly he could turn the program around, keeping in mind that many new coaches work on a three- or four-year plan. “As you can tell, I’m not very patient,” he said. “I can assure you our staff, myself and everybody around here is committed to doing it as fast as possible. I don’t know that I have a magic wand specifically that I can waive over top of it, but I know this — it’s pretty clear we’re on our way.” Wolford said he’s noticed a big difference in the attitude — and athleticism — of this year’s team compared to last year. “I think it shows up just by watching practice,” he said. “It’s clear we can fly around the football field. We’re a lot bigger and faster than we’ve been. I know it’s only the second day of camp, but we don’t have a lot of guys missing [assignments]. It’s been pretty clean. I hope it stays that way.”
New turf: YSU replaced the turf at Stambaugh Stadium this summer with a “Shaw Sportexe PowerBlade HP+ synthetic turf system,” and one of the most noticeable things is the springiness. The field feels softer and looks more like real grass. It also feels like real grass — real wet grass, Wolford said. “It’s still a little slick,” he said. “You really have to be precise, stick your feet in the ground, make sure you’re running good routes and note being lazy so you can get in and out of your break.” He said the long snappers are having the biggest problem. “The ball catches on the surface and takes that velocity out,” he said.
Up next: YSU will practice at 4 p.m. today through Friday then has its first two-a-day session on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium. All practices are free and open to the public.