Christopher Roberts, Kentucky State, NFL Draft Interview with Joe Gaiter

Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?

Christopher Roberts: Football has always been my outlet. No matter how tough a semester was going in school I knew I at least was going to be able to go play football.

Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?

Christopher Roberts: My story is still being written. I’ve got an opportunity to make it big time with this football thing. It doesn’t happen too often where I’m from. Some of the greatest athletes this state has ever produced comes from right here in small Frankfort Ky. I have a chance to shine the light on this town and help the younger generation get the exposure needed to make it out.

Joe Gaiter: When did you fall in love with football?

Christopher Roberts: I’ve always loved sports. I grew up watching my older cousins play football and I wanted mimic everything they did on the field.

Joe Gaiter: How has Franklin Country High School helped shape your athletic career?

Christopher Roberts: I wouldn’t necessarily say Franklin County as a whole shaped my athletic career. I was a natural athlete I was a real football player. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do on the field. The coaches just called the right plays and I did the rest.

Joe Gaiter: Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration?

Christopher Roberts: My mother, grandmother and my two sons Leelyn and Brenton. They are the reason I have to make it.

Joe Gaiter: What makes a great Defensive Tackle?

Christopher Roberts: My ability to stop the run, get to the QB and chase down plays. I played RB up until my sophomore year in college. When I was moved to 3 Tech I used my speed, foot work and vision to make plays and it’s something not every defensive tackle in the country has in their package. They didn’t grow up playing running back outrunning people especially at a collegiate level, I did.

Joe Gaiter: What were some of your stats this year?

Christopher Roberts: I finished fourth on the team in tackles with 35 and third on the team in sacks with 2. Our offense runs the wing-t and one of our goals each game is to control the clock which we did all too well. Our defense was rarely on the field  so our coach told us in the beginning of camp don’t expect to have a bunch of tackles this year. It won’t happen. We took pride in having quick three and outs and giving the ball back to our offense.

Joe Gaiter: Have you’re reached your athletic peak?

Christopher Roberts: I honestly don’t believe I’ve hit my peak. I get a bit stronger each training session, and I get a bit quicker each session. I won’t reach my peak for another several years.

Joe Gaiter: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Christopher Roberts: I use my hands well, my get off is very explosive, I have great study habits when preparing for an opponent, I’m very fast especially to be 6’2 320, I’m strong as an ox and I’m a student of the game. My weakness is my eyes. Sometimes I catch myself looking into the backfield rather than focusing on defeating the block. I look for the ball at times.

Joe Gaiter: Why should any NFL choose you over someone else?

Christopher Roberts: I embrace the grind. I’m coming to camp to learn from a veteran and use his own tricks and tactics against him. Not only am I getting better as a player, I’m making that vet step up his game because one mistake and I’ve got him. I’m coming in to earn a spot and compete for a title. I don’t come with baggage. I don’t have character issues. I’ve never been a player coaches have had to worry about on or off the field. My head coach has prepped me for the moment a coach calls me to come to camp.

Joe Gaiter: How have you faced adversity this year?

Christopher Roberts: Going into camp I was excited about proving I was the best defensive tackle in the country. However, we needed a defensive end and my coach pulled me in his office and told me I was the only interior defensive lineman who had the ability to thrive at D End. I wasn’t used to playing the position so I had to learn quick. I felt I wasn’t performing well at all because I wasn’t getting 10 tackles a game and I wasn’t destroying the middle like I was accustomed to. Then Coach Jackson and Coach Conchran sat me down and broke down film with me and showed me the impact I was truly having at the position for our team. I wasn’t making the tackles but I was making the play.

Joe Gaiter: Do you feel like the underdog?

Christopher Roberts: Every guy coming out of Division ll program feels as if he’s an underdog. No one thinks we can compete with the guys at the FBS level. So that means I have to work harder than the guy who plays at Alabama or Georgia. I have to be stronger than him and I have to be faster than him. I have to run to the ball harder than he does. I can’t make the same mistakes he does because my window for error is much smaller than his.

Joe Gaiter: Who would you compare your athletic abilities to that currently play in the NFL?

Christopher Roberts: When you see me play there’s one player I look and play like and that’s Jurrell Casey. He’s a guy who is big but swift with quick feet and violent hands. That’s who I study week in and week out because he does it at such a high level.

Joe Gaiter: What would you say is your biggest accomplishments?

Christopher Roberts: My biggest accomplishment was turning an 0-10 program to a 7-3 conference contender. I’ve received numerous accolades but no accolade or award felt better than achieving the best record at my University in 40+ years.

Joe Gaiter: What is your major?

Christopher Roberts: I have my bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and I’m currently in grad school obtaining my masters degree in public administration

Joe Gaiter: Who is your agent and why did you pick them?

Christopher Roberts: I have not signed with an agent yet. This is something that’s a delicate process and it has to be the right person.

Joe Gaiter: Where are you training while you prepare for the NFL Draft?

Christopher Roberts: Right now, I am training at CrossFit Engineered with Roni Robinson, a hometown legend.

Joe Gaiter: Final Words?

Christopher Roberts: This entire process has been a tough challenge. It’s stressful and it really makes you think about how much you want to be successful at this. I made that decision a long time ago I was going to do whatever it took to make to the NFL and my mindset hasn’t changed.

Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?

Christopher Roberts: All love to my hometown Frankfort Ky, my family who has supported me throughout this entire process, the entire Kentucky State family and my boys on that defensive line ‘The Dawg Pound.

Social Media
Instagram- Mr_roberts21
Twitter – Caroberts17