HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” If you ever interview for a job, you want a performance like J.J. Roberts.
At MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Pro Day on Monday, Roberts made himself look like the man for the job. He reached a vertical leap of 40.5 inches, bench-pressed 225 pounds for 20 reps and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds.
The vertical would have been fourth among safeties at the NFL combine, the bench-press would have tied for first and the 40 time would have been top-three.
Fellow Pro Day participant Mike Green said that in his interviews, he brings up Roberts as the guy he would like to bring along with him.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI told them the same thing about him,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Roberts said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe mentions me to them. I mention him to them. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a big deal, and that means a lot to me.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
He was quick to point to his faith when talking about his performance.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFirst of all, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Roberts said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œLast night, I was praying. I told him, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜God, let me go out there and do what I need to do, and IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m gonna give you the praise and all the honor.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ So first, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m going to give him the honor.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m glad with my performance. I was hoping to get 41 on the vert, but IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll take 40 and a half. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s good. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m happy with my overall performance. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s good.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Roberts played high school football at Cabell Midland, then played collegiately at Wake Forest before transferring to Marshall. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s now steps away from being a hometown hero at the highest level of football.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhen I first transferred down here, I was praying about it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Roberts said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGod told me to step down to step up. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s coming full-circle, now, for me.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI definitely want to put on for Marshall and represent it at the highest level. I know that a bunch of guys here can compete at the next level. Being from here and growing up watching Marshall play is a crazy moment. I watched Owen Porter and all of them boys doing this. It was crazy to be here doing the same thing. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been a full-circle moment.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
RobertsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ story indicates anyone can succeed from any background in sports. Talent prevails.
Marshall coach Tony Gibson said Pro Day is good for recruitment because of those factors.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s great exposure for our program, especially for recruiting,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Gibson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œReally good to see these guys that gave so much to Marshall get their opportunity to show their talents. We had the (general manager) and the head coach of the Falcons (Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris, respectively) here. A lot of D-line and outside linebacker coaches. Really, really good day for these guys.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Roberts said that while the process of competing in front of representatives from 29 NFL teams is tough, the bonds he built at Marshall helped lessen the pressure.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s definitely crazy to have everyone here,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Roberts said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt helped take away the nerves. I really appreciate Mike for coming here and bringing everybody. It allowed me to shine. It was definitely good to have everyone around (in support).ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Roberts gave his interview following positional drills in the Chris Cline Athletic Complex. It holds the history of past players, trophies, nets and flags behind glass. Randy MossÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ Biletnikoff Award sits near national championship rings from soccer.
Roberts hopes to build onto the Herd legacy.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was in the uniform for the first time two years ago, which is crazy, but I felt that way (during the spring game),ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt wasnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t a real game, but I was like, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜Wow. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m on MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s field playing football.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ From that moment to now, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve made some really big strides ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” all glory to God.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Gibson said he met with the players who returned for Pro Day and gave his appreciation. He hopes to build on the foundation set by players like Roberts and Green, who will likely be a top-15 pick in the upcoming draft.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been a great tradition of good players ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” every position in football, thereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been a guy from Marshall,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Gibson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re excited for the future and to just keep building on what theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve built here.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Gibson spent time watching throughout the afternoon.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMike and JJ had really good days. Jordan Houston ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” really excited to see the future for these guys,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Gibson said.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey have a four-year resume built with film, but a lot of it comes down to the testing numbers and things like that. I felt like these guys are in really good shape. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve done a great job of working out and getting ready for this day.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
After a lengthy preparation phase and a good day of drills, Roberts now awaits a phone call. His plan is to trust in his work and faith.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m going to stay fresh and stay in shape,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Roberts said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve probably got some interviews to do after today, so IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll stick to the process and go where God takes me.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt would mean the world (to get drafted). If you asked me a couple years ago if I would be in this position, I donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t know. But this was GodÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s plan. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m following it.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
