Some players just shine in the biggest moments. In his second season as an Aggie, wide receiver Kendrick Rogers proved that he’s at his best when the lights are brightest. Just look at the most exciting win of 2018.

With the game tied at 72-72, quarterback Kellen Mond dropped back for a two-point conversion at- tempt. Mond bought some time before launching a ball into the back of the end zone. Rogers ran a comeback route but saw a seam in the defense and broke left into open space. There was never a doubt — Rogers caught the ball and ended the longest game in college football history.

The performance had shadows of the Clemson game, perhaps the best of Rogers’ young career. With 46 seconds left, Rogers caught a massive touchdown — his second of the second half — to give the Aggies a chance to tie the game against the eventual national champs.

“I think he’s a very gifted young man,” Jimbo Fisher said. “He has pure talent. At those moments, he’s not trying to do anything. He’s just competing, and it allows his natural abilities to come out.”

If you look at the numbers, Rogers played his best football against the best teams. In three games against top 10 opponents Alabama, Clemson and LSU, Rogers posted a combined 14 catches for 211 yards and four touchdowns. He capitalized with six catches for 44 yards and another touchdown in the postseason against North Carolina State.

“That’s just who he is and the way he practices,” Mond said. “He makes big-time plays in practices, so when you see him do it in the game, it makes sense. When I see him make big plays like that during games, it never surprises me.”

But for how clutch Rogers can be during big games, he can become invisible against more comparable opponents. In all nine other regular season games, Rogers caught just seven passes for 81 yards and zero touchdowns. That includes one-catch performances in losses to both Auburn and Mississippi State on the road.

With top pass catcher Jace Sternberger off to the NFL A&M desperately needs a weapon to step up as a featured receiver. At 6-foot-4 and 204 pounds, Rogers has the physical skills to be an elite receiver in the SEC.

“He’s just gotta remind himself how good a player he can be,” Mond said. “That’s just kind of a mind- set. I think he’s grown a lot this spring in just learning what kind of a player he can be. He can be a dominant force on every single play.”