Falcons select RB Jacquizz Rodgers in the 5th round
Jacquizz Rodgers was a highly productive running back in the Pac-10 (Associated Press)
FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons continued their theme of moving up in the draft to select a player on Saturday.
They traded away their fifth round pick (158th overall) and one of their seventh round picks (229) to move up 13 spots to select Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
Here’s the book on Rodgers:
FALCONS PICK: 5th round, 145 overall (18th running back selected)
Name: Jacquizz Rodgers
Size: 5-6, 198
College: Oregon State
His production: He rushed for 8,245 yards and 136 touchdowns over his storied high school career in Richmond, Texas. Rodgers finished his career ranked second all-time in Texas high school history with 41 100-yard rushing games. He also had 21 200-yard games. He splashed onto the national scene when he helped to power the Beavers over Southern California, 27-21, when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation. He ran the ball 37 times for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns in the breakout game. He started 35 of 36 games for the Beavers. He gained 3,877 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. He also caught 151 passes for 1,052 yards and five touchdowns. He is just one of eight players in Pac-10 history with 1,000 yards rushing in three seasons.
The skinny: He was nicknamed “Mr. Touchdown” in high school. He landed at Oregon State in part because they had taken his brother, James, a wide receiver, the previous year. He was also recruited by Arizona, Baylor, Houston, Illinois, Louisiana Tech and Southern Methodist. He has a daughter, Channing. He ran a slow 4.59 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. But he is considered to be more quick, than fast. He’s a proven tough and durable runner.
INTERVIEW WITH JACQUIZZ RODGERS TODAY
ON BEING PICKED BY THE FALCONS: “It’s the best feeling in life … finally a dream come true. Something you’ve been working for your whole life and actually getting a chance to seize the moment and be a part of a good team is a blessing.”
ON THE USC GAME: “That was the biggest highlight of my career, knocking off No. 1 USC. It was my freshman year, just being able to contribute to a win like that was good. Being part of Oregon State’s offense, a pro-style offense, having a coach like Coach (Mike) Riley put the faith in me to carry the ball a lot and being a featured guy in his offense (was awesome).”
ON RUNNING BETWEEN THE TACKLES: “It’s all about confidence. I run strong. If they look at my size they might under estimate me. After the game, I bet they have a different opinion about me.”
ON PICKING UP THE BLITZ: “That was something that we had to do. I’m willing to stick my nose in there and block linebackers. . . I remember watching Warrick Dunn when I was a child.”
ON NOT FUMBLING: “Ball security is something that we worked on every day in practice. Not putting the ball on the ground is a big thing. My coaches in college always focused on ball security and blocking. That was a big thing. They always said if you made it to this point they already knew you were a good runner, so protect the ball and protect the quarterback.” (He officially had one fumble on a lateraled pass.)
ON HIS SIZE AND PROVING PEOPLE WRONG: “That’s the main thing. Most people question my size. It’s something that I can’t change.”
ON HIS PASS CATCHING SKILLS: “Being shorter than most guys, being able to catch out of the backfield and beat linebackers one-on-one and in open space, I think it helps me out a lot.”
ON THE LOCKOUT: “I’m just working out and staying in shape. Hopefully, the lockout will be over soon.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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185 comments Add your comment
fedetn
April 30th, 2011
3:13 pm
nice!! Great pick!
wdwj
April 30th, 2011
3:15 pm
Love the pick. Falcon doing there home home work pays off.
dp
April 30th, 2011
3:16 pm
This pick answers my question….who’s doing the drafting….it’s Blanks kid. The Falcons are gonna get buried in the NFC South because they’ve lost their minds in Flowery Branch this draft!
wdwj
April 30th, 2011
3:16 pm
sorry about doule home
bigdave
April 30th, 2011
3:17 pm
900 touches in 3 yrs w/ out missing a start..
not to mention, dude hardly ever fumbles.
combine hurt him w/ that 40.. but he’s always been quicker than fast when watching him. we didnt have, and needed that element.. someone who can get the ball in open space and make someone miss.
Yo Vince
April 30th, 2011
3:17 pm
D P and Texas2step seen kissing at Green Bay hotel
wdwj
April 30th, 2011
3:18 pm
not my day..double.
Sid
April 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
I read that at the OSU Pro Day Quizz ran a 4.47 second 40. I watched some of his reels on the tube, he can boot, scoot and boogie. Also ran the wildcat some. I like the pick.
*************************************
Note to Norwood: I loved your runs but you are too fragile.
dawgsfan1990
April 30th, 2011
3:20 pm
Let’s get Virgil Green next…dude is a beast…course I’m a homer from Reno.
J.J.M.
April 30th, 2011
3:20 pm
anybody see chris johnson tweets about atl? looks like he wants to play for us
oldbird
April 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
I thought that we gave up way too much to get JJ but we have really got some quality so far in this draft.Potential starters in two of three picks, and a backup RB that won’t let us miss a beat. I give us at worst a B+. Wonder what Peter King will Hve to say.
dawgfan13
April 30th, 2011
3:22 pm
I love this pick and while people kept saying that Atlanta gave up too much to get Julio, look at what they have done. They have still been able to draft three players who will play right away! Its not about having 7 or 8 draft picks and 5 of them turning out to be bust, its about drafting players who you feel really good about that you feel will help you right away and thats what they have done. They will fill their defensive needs with free agency and think about, the Saints are the only high powered offense in their division that they have to worry about. their injured defensive players will be better this year and I expect the Falcons to compete for a Super Bowl next year.
M10
April 30th, 2011
3:23 pm
Let them do there job,we have’nt even had Free Agency yet calm down.
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2011
3:24 pm
All butt and legs. Quick little bowling ball. And what ever happened to Jim “Cannonball” Butler?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 30th, 2011
3:28 pm
J.J.M. — There is no cap.
We just talked to Quizz:
JACQUIZZ RODGERS “It’s the best feeling in life … finally a dream come true. Something you’ve been working for your whole life and actually getting a chance to seize the moment and be a part of a good team.”
J.J.M.
April 30th, 2011
3:30 pm
oh yea that is right no cap…So blank will open his pockets like crazy in free agency probably
Sid
April 30th, 2011
3:30 pm
We are still going to grade out behind our NFC South rivals.
JP
April 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
I’ve seen this guy play and he’s lightning in a bottle. Love the pick. Guess this should squash the Reggie Bush to Atlanta rumors.
bigdave
April 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
JJM
he’ll come and party his career away.. ill pass. looks like all he wants to do is club.
J.J.M.
April 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
anyone has a link of his highlights?
oldbird
April 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
dawgfan13 You are exactly right I hated the Jones thing at first, but we are getting starters in this draft. Hopefully we address DE in free agency.
jojo
April 30th, 2011
3:33 pm
THIS IS A GREAT PICK FOR THE FALCONS
torgo
April 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
I bet former Falcons super scout Dick Corrick is looking down from heaven and smiling, as we’ve taken the star RB from his alma mater.
Read about Corrick and his role in building the 1998 Falcons here…
http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/10525021/1
bigdave
April 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
DOL
tell him the fan base are excited to have him here..
dude has a skills set that will compliment our offense.. and he brings that Falcon toughness..
he’s and equal hell between the tackles as in open space..
cantondawg
April 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
Sweet,,i absolutely love this pick…
Mikey
April 30th, 2011
3:35 pm
anytime someone can use the words “stud” and “beaver” in the same post, im a happy guy
tenten2
April 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
According to his ESPN stat sheet, in three seasons had 788 carries and ZERO FUMBLES!! Though I guess he had a fumble credited to him his sophomore year in a bowl game where he dropped a screen pass…but really that’s just a dropped pass.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
MORE FROM JACQUIZZ RODGERS:
ON THE USC GAME: “That was the biggest highlight of my career, knocking off No. 1 USC. It was my freshman year, just being able to contribute to a win like that was good. Being part of Oregon State’s offense, a pro-style offense, having a coach like Coach (Mike) Riley put the faith in me to carry the ball a lot and being a featured guy in his offense (was awesome).”
ON RUNNING BETWEEN THE TACKLES: “It’s all about confidence. I run strong. If they look at my size, they might under estimate me. After the game, I bet they have a different opinion about me.”
ON PICKING UP THE BLITZ: “That was something that we had to do. I’m willing to stick my nose in there and block linebackers. . . I remember watching Warrick Dunn when I was a child.”
cantondawg
April 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
The falcons offense should be SICK this year..Wow..Julio Jones and Jacquizz Rodgers add two new dimensions to an already good offense.
bigdave
April 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
*an equal
bigdave
April 30th, 2011
3:38 pm
no huddle.. spread em out.. Quizz single back.. yikes.
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
Good ‘un Mikey.
PoPo
April 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
Watched this hometown young man throughout high school career…y’all got a good one with this pick!
BigTimeTECHFan
April 30th, 2011
3:40 pm
He’s named Ledbetter for a reason, last time he ran the 40 people kept yelling “Better get the led out”.
Rogers very nice pick, wow J Jones and Rogers to the Falcon, I never would have guessed we would end up with both of them. Dent in the 4th not bad pick, hope they get Tarrant from GT.
J.J.M.
April 30th, 2011
3:41 pm
so what should we draft next people?
oldbird
April 30th, 2011
3:43 pm
Don/t worry about 40 times. They always test them in shorts. On my highscool team, I was third in shorts, and first in pads. A lot of difference between track and football.
GTBob
April 30th, 2011
3:44 pm
I love this pick. He is a great player who probably shouldn’t have lasted this long in the draft.
J.J.M.
April 30th, 2011
3:46 pm
lol bigdave he does party too much
TheManMike
April 30th, 2011
3:48 pm
Loving this draft so far. Just watched a highlight video of J-Rodge and the Warrick Dunn comparisons are accurate. Litte dude can scoot and skirt like a mo. Julio is our “Larry Fitzgerald” – You did see the Pro Bowl right? As long as Ryan keeps advancing, our offense is going to be effing killer. – and here’s to picking up some good D in FA….
quizz fan
April 30th, 2011
3:49 pm
ATL you have a great RB and character guy!!
i have followed him from high school — research his production in Texas at 5′6
He played in the Pac 10 and excelled against top nfl talent at USC……… promise you will love his heart, his quickness and his work ethic!!
FreemanR72
April 30th, 2011
3:55 pm
He did not single handily beat USC……….He destroyed USC that year!!!! Great Pick for the Falcons. You all pic J. Jones & Jacquizz, I DIDNT THINK YOU FALCONS HAD THE COCONUTS TO DO IT.HOORAY 4 YOU.
richie
April 30th, 2011
3:55 pm
Great draft so far! Playmakers at WR and RB and a tackle machine at LB. All great calls by TD
SC Acw
April 30th, 2011
3:55 pm
Man this offense will be potent! Tough assignment for opposing d coordinators.
DLed – any chance this guy returns some kicks?
jerseyfalcon
April 30th, 2011
3:58 pm
Who’s left at lb/de or tight end? I’d still take Virgil Green, if he drops..but i dont know who is left on the de/lb side.
1eyedJack
April 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
Mularkey just added ten new pages to the playbook.
chem
April 30th, 2011
4:07 pm
To whomever mentioned his quickness in the cone drill: Jacquizz Rodgers had the worst time in the cone drill out of any RB at the combine (7.31 seconds). His measurables are pretty bad all around, but he sure did pile up some stats in college.
The Real Falcon
April 30th, 2011
4:08 pm
First pick I am happy with when giving 5 picks for one player is factored in.
The third pick is a joke.
Panicked.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
SC Acw — He didn’t return kicks or punts in college.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
April 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
Chem — Thanks for that info on the cone drills.
Ed
April 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
Absolutely love the pick Jacquizz Rodgers brings that much needed quickness and toughness that the Falcons need at running back to complement the power of Michael Turner.