Blue-Chip LB Rojas Visits ‘Canes, Will Miami Make the Final Cut?
A year ago at this time, Tony Rojas did not have a scholarship offer to a Division I football program.
That all changed fairly quick after he hit the camp circuit in the spring last offseason, just right before his dominant Junior season on the football field for Fairfax High School in Virginia. You could venture to say say that it was perfect timing and destiny for the young 6’3”, 200-pound linebacker who holds upwards of 20 offers from college football programs around the country today.
Rojas is rated a four-star linebacker prospect by almost every recruiting outlet there is to the public eye. As a dual-sport athlete, starring as a forward on the basketball hardwood and a bevy of positions on the football gridiron at running back, wide receiver, defensive end and even as a punter -- there is a lot to take in from an athletic profile standpoint. Rojas has been quoted before in interviews relaying to media outlets “I almost never come off the field.”
During this off-season, Rojas had visited numerous well-known college football programs. Clemson, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Penn State during the off-season. Miami and new head coach Mario Cristobal is working its way into the mix, too.
The 'backer received a scholarship offer from The University of Miami football program on January 19th, 2022. It came not too long after Rojas posted a junior season of more than 1,700 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns on offense. While on defense where most college programs are coveting the young star, Rojas accumulated 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks during his Junior season for Fairfax.
CANE NATION GO MESS WITH THE RECENT ON THE GRAM @ thetonyrojas pic.twitter.com/8kxlX5ibis
— Tony Rojas (@Tony_Rojas5) April 13, 2022
The accolades are plenty for Rojas. He was elected All-Region Offensive Player of the year, runner up Defensive Player of the Year, All-Region First-Team running back and All-Region First-Team defensive end. There is more than that, Rojas came away with the most valuable player award at linebacker during a stop at the Under Armour Next Football Camp Series in March. It has been quite an impressive year for Rojas and a busy one while visiting college campuses in the off-season.
Rojas and his family spent multiple days in South Florida in April, not only visiting the private college campus, but also the city of Miami and what it has to offer.
“The visit was good. It was smooth, I liked the coaches, the campus and the people," he said. “I vibe with head coach (Mario) Cristobal, coach (Charlie) Strong, and all of the recruiting department around. It was my first time down in Miami for a visit. I liked the place and everyone around was really nice.
"We looked around the city the day before, today was just practice and the campus. We went to Brickell and South Beach. South Beach was good, it was smooth got to see the beach.”
Rojas expanded on the time with Hurricanes co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Charlie Strong,
“I think he’s smart, he’s a good guy and he cares outside of football too,” he said. "They love my physicality, they speak a lot about physicality, being physical and they love my size and the way I play the game.”
Rojas has a few goals in mind for his senior season of high school football and certain aspects he’s looking to improve in his repertoire this off-season. It includes an updated verbal commitment timeline, too.
“To commit before the season to get that out of the way,:" he said. "I’m not really looking to get out to any games this year, just visits in the off-season. Try to focus on football more instead of being recruited. Just focusing on the game more, not just playing. Focusing more of the mental part of the game.”
Rojas will be visiting the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs this Friday, along with the Penn State Nittany Lions for their spring game before the month of April concludes.
The blue-chip linebacker said he will be deciding on a top list of schools in two weeks.
The chances of the Hurricanes making that final cut and to receive an official visit from Rojas before the regular season appear high.
“Yeah of course. I loved it.”
