Any doubts about Detroit King transfer Josh Rogers fitting in at Livonia Clarenceville disappeared after last week’s football scrimmage against Detroit Cody, Erie Mason and Dearborn Heights Robichaud.
The senior averaged more than five yards per carry, looking every bit like the team’s next great running back, following in the footsteps of recent standouts Sean-Brian Craig (Ashland), Jordan Williams (Alma) and Eli Craig (Mount Union).
But what really convinced his teammates about his potential to become one of the best rushers in Division 5 was the moment he hurdled a defender, Saquon Barkley-style, to gain extra yards.
“I had to pull him aside and say, ‘Great job, but never do that again,’” third-year coach Marty Castellon said during an Aug. 25 practice. “Our offensive line loved it. They know he’s got that moxie, and that excites everybody because he pushes the kids to their limit by doing things like that.”
Rogers will start at both running back and safety, and his arrival couldn’t have been better timed.
After missing the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, the Trojans have prioritized building depth, growing from 20 players when Castellon took over to about 65 this fall. That includes adding nine other transfers, just like Rogers, who chose Clarenceville over nearby schools that are already playoff contenders.
With that depth and talent, the Trojans believe they can not only return to the playoffs but also contend for their first district title since they played in the 2013 state semifinal.
Even as the new guy, Rogers has emerged as a vocal leader who can help them reach that goal. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior brings a work ethic from King that has rubbed off in practice, proving he can lead by example while matching the influence of returning seniors Kayden Williams, Sam Wiacek and Tommy Yakes.
“It’s been really good because Josh has so much high energy when he runs the ball,” said Yakes, a lineman. “And he never talks down to us. He supports us when we block for him, and he brings us up when we do bad blocks.”
And the best part? Rogers won’t have to do it all on his own.
Wiacek is back under center as a steady dual-threat with several reliable targets to throw to, including Kayden Williams and Micah Williams, who can take the top off the defense, as well as Malachi Merriweather and Cass Tech transfer Kyle VanHoesen.
While Clarenceville will have a rotation of running backs behind Rogers, he’ll share the field with Andre Chisolm, an almost 200-pound sophomore who Castellon calls his “Bettis,” referring to former Super Bowl-winning power back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, who played at 250 pounds.
“Those two complement each other so well, especially with Josh being super fast,” Castellon said. “He’s a slasher, but he’s not afraid to run between the tackles. He’s like a mini Jordan Williams for us.”
What’s more, the O-line looks just as strong, with Yakes leading a group of second-year starters.
“I’ve just got to give the line props,” Rogers said. “The scrimmage was great. They made holes. They did everything they needed to do. We had a few mess-ups, but it was quick fixes, nothing bad, so we did amazing. They’re really helping me become the best that I can be here.”
Rogers’ goal is to rush for 2,000 yards, a mark that would place him among Michigan’s elite. But with their returning talent, it’s not far-fetched. Defenses won’t be able to focus solely on Rogers with so many other offensive weapons.
All the senior needs to do is wait for his number to be called and follow Yakes and a seasoned offensive line whose chemistry is already proven.
“When you’ve got an O-line that can give a running back like me five yards a pop, you just know it’s going to be a great season,” Rogers said.
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com account at @folsomwrites.
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Detroit King transfer already helping Livonia Clarenceville football
Reporting by Brandon Folsom, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
