NSR scout discovers record-setting S.C. quarterback

National Scouting Report scouts can find out about prospects in some odd and unpredictable circumstances. Charlotte Metro Area Director Chuck Howard first heard about Rogan Wells on the golf course.

Seems that Howard was playing a friendly game one afternoon with buddies when one of them mentioned that Howard should look up Rogan Wells, a quarterback for the Fort Mill (S.C.) High School football team.  Not one to dilly dally, Howard left the golf course that day and got to work searching for Wells.  What he found was a young QB who had set a page full of records but wasn’t being recruited.

“I had assumed that he was being heavily recruited, but it turned out not to be the case,” Howard said. “I was shocked, but it shows that there are plenty of student-athletes who do indeed fly under the radar — even record-setting kids like Rogan.”

Still, Howard knew Wells would have to pass NSR’s stiff enrollment qualification process.

“Rogan just had a big game with three or four touchdowns the Friday before, so I went to his next game,” Howard said. “I was immediately impressed because at 6 feet 3 and 200 pounds, he looked the part [of a college quarterback].  He stood out like a sore thumb both running the ball and passing.”

Wells didn’t disappoint Howard with his stats, either.  As a junior, Wells used his speed (4.65 in the 40) to rush for 543 yards and score 15 touchdowns in 12 games.  He also threw for 2,065 yards and 11 TDs with only four interceptions.  His completion percentage was an excellent .653 with a 104.9 QB rating. Not bad for a QB on a run-oriented team.

In a Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald story on Wells, writer Mac Banks wrote: “Wells has thrown for 3,965 yards since he started under center as a sophomore. While that may be just one season of stats for some quarterbacks, Wells also pulls double duty and isn’t afraid to tuck the ball in and run. He has rushed for 1,373 yards during that time.”

Fort Mill quarterback coach Eddie Therrell said Wells has really progressed under center since becoming a starter.

“We have had him for three years,” Therrell said. “In our offense, [Wells] might have three different reads on every play. As a sophomore, he had to learn what he was reading and make that decision. After three years, he can make that decision quicker than I can figure it out up on top of the press box.”

Howard added: “Ro is still flying under the radar for a number of reasons.  First and foremost, he did not throw the ball 40-50 times a game and did not have gaudy stats each week.  Plus, Fort Mill is not a football power.”

In his senior year, Wells passed for 1,815 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 639 yards and 11 TDs in 11 games. He received the prestigious WRHI Offensive Player of the Week honor three times and Tri-County POW once.

Wells is also an accomplished student.  He carries a 3.7 GPA while making the A-B Honor Roll the last two years.  He plans to major in Business or Construction Management in college.  His classroom results have impacted his on-the-field performance, too.

“Rogan is one of the smartest high school quarterbacks I’ve seen in our area,” Howard said.  “He actually makes reads when passing, but is the quarterback for a run-first offense.  So that means he’s a prospect who goes beyond what is expected.  He will be well-prepared to run a college offense.”