Name: Christopher Armon Roberts
School: Kentucky State
Position: DT
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 320
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
My goal coming into the season was help turn a losing program around and make another appearance in the SIAC Conference Championship. I wanted to go out with a winning record. In the past I’ve had player of the week honors All Conference honors, one of the more dangerous defenders in our conference for a few years, but it was all overshadowed by our a lackluster seasons in previous years. I was willing to trade it all to go out on top. And we as a team did just that. We went from 0-10 to 7-3.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
My coaches and teammates would say I’m a dependable beast. Week in and week out they knew I was going to show up and make my presence felt. It gave my teammates a sense of security when I was on the field, but little did they know I needed them more than they needed me.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
As far as practice film goes I always look for three things. My first step, my hand placement and did I actually run to the ball that play. As far as game film goes I pay close attention to the guard and centers pre snap movements, whether they’re communicating with one another via signals or vocally, and what type of players they are. Are they physical yet unorthodox players or are they very sound technical and use great hands along with a great punch. Are they heavy on their hands on run plays indicating an immediate down block, is one guard playing deeper in the backfield than the other indicating he’s the the pulling guard, does the center make any certain movements before he snaps the ball. Any way I can find a weakness in their game I study it and exploit that weakness on game day.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
A fun fact about me is I played running back up until the end of my freshman season in college. I was a 280lb running back coming in freshman year. I gained weight and made that transition to Defensive Tackle, but I never lost that step or my athleticism. I can still chase down running backs or receivers as my film displays. I use my running back background to give me an advantage especially on running plays. I know where the open gap is going to be for the running back therefore if I don’t make the initial tackle and the back is able to find his way through smoke I’ve still altered a running backs path and I am able shock and shed the o lineman and find the ball. Not many 6’2 320lb Defensive Tackles can move the way I do. I can run and I am just as strong as just about anyone in the nation.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
After I finish up playing in my All Star game I will return home to train for potential pro opportunities. The main goal is to be able to run when I’m in from of scouts and GMs. I have to show them I can run the same on play 80 as I did the very first snap of the game. My trainers know my strength and weakness and they will attack both during this training process to ensure I am at my best when my opportunity arrives.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I pride myself on stopping the run. I study guys like Mike Daniels, Jurrell Casey and Damon Harrison and try to incorporate all three players into my game. I have the meanness, tenacity and brute strength of Mike Daniels, the finesse and ability to get to the QB like Jurrell Casey and the run stopping ability of Damon Harrison. But off the field this past season I was one of many players who were apart of the MaxOut Foundation. Something our coaching staff started where we get out in the community and we get active. We’ve visited wounded veterans, helped out at soup kitchens, we’ve came out and supported youth football games we’ve went out to the elementary schools and participated in activities with the students. Anyway for us to help show our appreciation in the community.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?
I’ve been coached by one of the best coaching staffs assembled in the country at Kentucky State this past season. I’ve been prepped by that staff for pro football from the way I condition and workout to the way I conduct myself in public. I’m just as big, just as strong, and maybe faster than a lot of guys playing the defensive tackle position coming out of power five conferences. I can run down on kickoff and punt and I can play the fullback position on kick return. I’m a player who can come in learn quick. Whatever money you invest in me will not be a waste.