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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett looks at The Citadel receiver Andre Roberts' rise at Senior Bowl practices. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.
Events like the Senior Bowl are all about making a name for yourself. We all know him, but the rest of the nation is learning about The Citadel wide receiver Andre Roberts. The Columbia, S.C. native is a two-time All-American and a meber of the recently released SouthernPigskin.com Southern Conference All-Decade Team. Dynamic both as a receiver and a return specialist, Roberts has gotten rave reviews from NFL scouts and media members for his efforts at Senior Bowl week practices in Mobile, Alabama.
Despite being under six feet tall, Roberts has wowed viewers with his shiftiness in the open field and and superb fundamentals.
"The small school prospect showed big time pass-catching skills all week. He's a complete receiver that displayed terrific route running skills besides great hands," said CNNSI.com. "Roberts had some of the best senior cornerbacks in the nation twisted like pretzels as they tried to stay with him on the field. His performance in Mobile will move Roberts into the draft's top 100 selections."
Roberts leaves The Citadel as the school's record holder for receptions in a season with 95, receiving yards in a year with 1,334, single season punt return yards with 461. He also tops the school record books in career catches, receiving yards and punt return yards. Only Elon wide receiver Terrell Hudgins, the NCAA Division I record holder, has more career catches and yards in Southern Conference history. Roberts finished his Bulldog career with 285 grabs for 3,743 yards and 1,160 punt return yards.
As a guest on my weekly radio show, Matt McGuire of WalterFootball.com talked of Roberts as the premier wide receiver prospect at the Senior Bowl.
"I can't believe I am saying this, but Citadel receiver Andre Roberts has been the best receiver out here - and nobody is coming close to matching his consistency," he explained on his blog. "He comes cleanly out of his breaks and has by far the softest pair of hands in Mobile. He made a beautiful circus catch on a post route. Stock up for Mr. Roberts - he certainly deserves it. The secret is out and he is getting a lot of deserved hype."
In a year where Roberts was overshadowed by players like Hudgins and Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, Roberts may be emerging as the top NFL prospect the league has had in quite some time.
In an exclusive interview with SouthernPigskin.com Staff Writer J.T. Bennett this past off-season, the recent graduate explained of how he modeled himself after Steve Smith.
"He is a great player," Roberts said. "He has speed and great hands."
Roberts stock is rising as he has showcased himself against the best of the best during Senior Bowl practices. Though many scouts and pundits have attempted to describe his ability this week, perhaps no description sums up Roberts better than his college nickname.
"Electric socks," Roberts laughed when asked if he had any nicknames, "but I wish they would do away with that one."
If he keeps shaking defenders out of their boots, whether Roberts likes it or not, the name might end up sticking.
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Comments
Great article. He’s a nice guy on top of it. Thanks for writing this.
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