Note: The following appears in the Miami football gameday program. As a South Carolinian who grew up a Clemson fan, Elijah Rodgers is extremely thankful for the time he has spent on the Tiger roster. Although his journey to Tigertown was filled with setbacks, his dedication and continual effort to be the best player he can be has ultimately paid off and rewarded him. Rodgers was born and raised in Gaffney, where he lived with his parents, two older brothers and younger sister. The cornerback attended Blacksburg High School, where his father was a coach. As a Wildcat, Rodgers received multiple honors and was a two-time all-state and three-time all-region selection. Recruited by Indiana, Rodgers ended up leaving Bloomington during the 2018 fall camp and decided to transfer to Gardner-Webb. That switch, however, did not work out, as he missed playing his second season as well. With his football career at a crossroads, Rodgers made the choice to transfer one final time and put himself clos