Get to Know Your Orange: #16 DL, Jarius Rodgers

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It’s time to start preparing for the 2026 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces for Year 3 of the Fran Brown Era.

Up next is…

Name: Jarius Rodgers

Position: Defensive line

Year: Freshman

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 225 lbs.

Hometown: Fleming Island, FL

High School/Previous College: Fleming Island High School

2025 stats: N/A

2026 projections: Rodgers brings plenty of intriguing traits to the table for the Orange: power off the edge, effort, size, and athleticism. As a long-term development option, he could very well be a cornerstone on the outside of the trenches and give the defense some burst. He likely won’t have much of a role in year one, but he’ll definitely get a few reps in Week 1 and will certainly be a name to watch for beyond this year.

How’d he get here?: Committed to the Orange over offers from Notre Dame, Florida State, SMU, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Nebraska, and other schools.

What’d recruiting sites say?: Four stars on ESPN and three stars on 247Sports and On3

Social Media:

X: @Not_JRod9

Instagram: @not__jrod

Interesting nugget o’interest: Rodgers also has a background as a track and field athlete. In 2025, he finished 10th in the 110-meter hurdles at the 3A FHSAA State Track & Field Championships. He also had multiple top-three finishes in different events at the FHSAA 3A District 3 level.

Let’s get a look at ya: Rodgers’ best plays from senior year, including a few special plays on special teams:

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos