Former Banning Standout Finds a Second Home in Washington

Unlike Oklahoma, Washington has been able to maintain its stature as a college football power without incurring the wrath of the NCAA.

But Tyrone Rodgers, a former Banning High standout and starting middle guard for second-ranked Washington, views the programs as similar.

“When I was there, Oklahoma was a family,” said Rodgers, who transferred in the spring of 1989 after the Sooners were placed on probation. “Everything was fun. You do a job that’s fun. We enjoyed it. We practiced and we enjoyed it. There was a chemistry.”

Rodgers said Washington, which will meet Michigan in Wednesday’s 78th Rose Bowl, is also a fun place to play and “a family.”

“We trust the other guy to do his own job,” Rodgers said. “If we’re going to get knocked down, we’re going to get right up. There’s always a hand that’s reaching out to help the next man up.”

Rodgers, 22, said the programs are similar in their intensity, although Washington does have one edge.

“Everybody has to get away for a couple of hours a week to relax,” Rodgers said. “In Seattle, you can do that, do numerous things to relax and get your mind off football.”

Rodgers also sees similarities between the college coaches he has played for--Barry Switzer at Oklahoma and Don James at Washington.

“They come from two different countries, but their aim is the same,” Rodgers said. “They want to win and want their players to be respected off the field.”

In Switzer’s final years at Oklahoma, a litany of incidents led to the decline of the program and eventual resignation of Switzer.

“There were bad apples in the bunch that made the whole bunch look bad, but (Oklahoma is) not all bad,” Rodgers said. “It’s a shame that a few players made Barry Switzer’s name bad. He recruits players, but you can’t tell what type of person inside you are. He can only tell what people tell him and what he sees.”

Rodgers was a middle linebacker as a sophomore and junior at Banning and defensive tackle as a senior. He was selected to several All-American teams and was one of the nation’s most sought-after players. Switzer’s reputation as a players’ coach and the presence of quarterback Jamelle Holieway and several other former Banning players at the Norman, Okla., school led Rodgers to select it over Arizona State, Nebraska, Louisiana State and Washington.

“It seemed like I fit in at the time,” Rodgers said. “I enjoyed the winning and excitement.”

There was plenty of both at Oklahoma. In 1987, a redshirt season for Rodgers, the Sooners were undefeated going into the Orange Bowl, but lost, 20-14, to Miami, Fla. In 1988, Rodgers played in 12 games and had six tackles in a 13-6 loss to Clemson in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

But Rodgers wanted out after the Sooners were placed on probation.

“Washington was my second choice coming out of high school,” said Rodgers, who also visited California and Michigan State when choosing a school to transfer to. “When I went to Washington, I noticed Washington had great athletes, the chemistry was just coming together and I wanted to be a part of it.”

After sitting out the 1989 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he injured his left knee during spring practice in 1990 and had to undergo surgery. He returned to action in the fall and played in 12 games. He had 21 tackles, three quarterback sacks and recovered two fumbles as backup to starter John Cook.

With Cook completing his eligibility in 1990, Rodgers became a starter this season. He had 29 tackles and was a Pacific 10 Conference honorable-mention selection. He also was selected as an alternate to the Japan Bowl.

“I’m never satisfied, so I can’t say I’m satisfied this year,” he said.

Washington defensive line coach Randy Hart was more complimentary.

“He’s really done a good job,” Hart said. “He’s improved weekly since last year, (increased his) basic understanding of the defense, gotten his speed back by rehabilitating himself from the knee surgery. There’s not a part of his game that’s not getting better--that includes pass rush and everything else as well. He’s worked hard and that’s paid dividends for him.”

Hart was especially impressed with Rodgers’ play in the Huskies’ 36-21 victory over Nebraska Sept. 21. The Cornhuskers led, 21-9, with 5 minutes 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter before Washington scored 27 unanswered points.

“He was really a key to that victory and did a great job,” Hart said. “(Nebraska) has an excellent offensive line and he took charge and controlled his area.”

The Rose Bowl will be the end of Rodgers’ career at Washington. He has relatives coming to Pasadena from Texas and Louisiana, and several more friends from the South Bay are expected to attend.

He is scheduled to graduate in June with a degree in psychology and plans to concentrate on making an NFL team in the next year. If that dream is not realized, he wants to work with children.

At the moment, he is only concerned with Michigan, Washington’s opponent on New Year’s Day.

“They have a team that loves to run you over and spit on you,” Rodgers said. “It’s not going to go down to a game plan. It’s more of a street fight. We match up evenly. There are no weak points in their attack--offense or defense.”