Alabama A&M signs two from Bob Jones

Roderick Randolph (left) and Jay Rogers signed football scholarships with Alabama A&M
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

MADISON-  Alabama A&M’s new head football coach James Spady found time to scout some players at Bob Jones during his first month on the job. The quick study paid off handsomely for two offensive players who were still uncommitted.

On Wednesday Feb. 5, Roderick Randolph (6-foot-1,210) a two year starter at tight end and Jay Rogers (5-foot-11,210) a two year starter at running back signed National Letters of Intent to play football at Alabama A&M in 2014.

The two have been best friends and teammates for as far back as they have played football.

Jay Rogers put together two of the best rushing seasons in the history of Bob Jones, running for over 1,000 yards as a junior and as a senior yet he was still uncommitted.

Spady quickly made an impression and invited Rogers for an official visit.

“He was the difference,” Rogers said of Spady who was hired Jan. 10. “I went for an official visit two weeks ago and they housed me and paid for everything and I just observed. He is a great guy as well as a great coach. He was genuine and I felt comfortable while I was there and he is putting together a good staff of coaches. I feel like he is going to turn the program around and it is the place for me.”

Bob Jones played Huntsville in Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M in week 5 and everyone including Rogers was impressed with the facilities especially the stadium that was retrofitted with field turf two years ago.

“The stadium was nice but I never thought I would end up going to college there. You have to expect the unexpected but I’m glad I get to be a part of Coach Spady’s first recruiting class.”

Under former coach Anthony Jones, Alabama A&M rarely signed players from Bob Jones.

One former Bob Jones player, Jordan Shelton a freshman offensive tackle, is on A&M’s roster. Buckhorn and Sparkman have three former players on A&M’s roster.

Rogers had no family ties to A&M. His father Eric played at Bob Jones and later played at UNA. But now the family is supporting Alabama A&M all the way.

“They are really excited because for one they don’t have to pay for me to go to school,” Rogers said of his family. “And two I get to continue to play football, go to school free, and I’m not far away from home. That was one of my biggest fears as recruiting season wound down was that I would have to go somewhere far away to play and that is not something I wanted to do.”

Rogers had one other offer from Middle Tennessee State.

Jay Rogers in action
(CONTRIBUTED/FILE PHOTO)

Rogers said he knows he will be in the Business School at Alabama A&M and has an interest in sports marketing.

Randolph makes the second in the family to get a sports scholarship following his brother Levi who plays basketball at Alabama.

Randolph said he will play wide receiver at Alabama A&M. He led all Bob Jones receivers with 26 catches for 417 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.