Seven months later, Rogers football standout Austin Kerr has finally been able to move on from a debilitating offseason injury.

Four broken bones in his foot and the surgically placed pins to heal it kept him sidelined for the first three games of his senior season.

In the meantime, Kerr said he saw several colleges back off from recruiting him.

With no offers by the new year, he wondered if he'd get a shot to play in college at all.

He got an answer during the last couple weeks, as Faulkner came in and showed interest late in the recruiting process.

Kerr signed with the Eagles, an NAIA program, this morning during a ceremony with his family, friends and teammates in the Rogers library.

"It's a burden off my shoulders," Kerr said. "I don't have to worry about who's going to call or where I'm going to go."

Kerr leaves Rogers as the school record holder in virtually every major offensive statistical category.

One of the most versatile players in the area, he lined up mostly at running back, quarterback and safety for the Pirates but also could play linebacker and cornerback if needed.

"He can play pretty much anywhere on the field and be successful," Rogers coach Randall Martin said. "Faulkner is getting a good player."

Kerr netted 710 yards rushing on 105 carries with 15 rushing touchdowns and completed 39 of 59 passes for 550 yards and four passing touchdowns as a senior.

He was a TimesDaily all-area first team selection in 2010-12 and made All-State in 2010-11.

Kerr was named TimesDaily 1A-3A Player of the Year in 2011 after leading the Pirates to the 3A state semifinals.

During the summer, Kerr visited Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss. UAB, UNA, Samford, UT-Martin and Murray State all showed interest in Kerr at one time, he said.

Rogers alumnus Zeke Pigg, who played at Faulkner and now works as a graduate assistant there, played an instrumental role in turning the coaching staff on to Kerr

"They were done with their recruiting, and then Zeke showed them some film of me and they said, 'All right, we've got somebody who can play right here,'" Kerr said.

Kerr received a call from Faulkner two weeks ago and visited the campus Saturday.

"Everything down there is brand new," Kerr said. "The classrooms are nice. The buildings are nice. It's just a nice place.

"I didn't think it would be as bad as it was," Kerr added about the recruiting fallout after his injury. "I didn't think it would turn as many schools away as it did, but I guess, getting injured like that, it does. But I guess it all works out in the end."

Bryan App can be reached at 256-740-5730 or shoalspreps@gmail.com.