YSU FOOTBALL Roberts welcomes shift

He began his college career at fullback, but is now a tight end.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- When Mike Roberts was recruited to play football at Youngstown State, he was expected to play fullback.
Roberts, a 6-foot, 240-pound senior, played his first two seasons at YSU -- he was redshirted his first year -- at fullback.
In 2002, his sophomore season, he was moved to tight end, and he's been a mainstay at that position ever since as he lettered there the past two seasons, starting every game last year.
Roberts tied for the team lead in receptions a year ago, hauling in 29 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns, with his longest covering 30 yards.
Right fit
A native of Plant City, Fla., Roberts said the move to tight end was the right fit for him.
"It really wasn't a difficult move because the fullback in the YSU offense is more like a tight end than a running back, so I was quite comfortable with the move," he said.
Roberts is excited about the spring's first jersey scrimmage, which was to be held today at Stambaugh Stadium.
"We're pretty banged up on the offensive line right now, but there are a lot of younger players getting some valuable playing time this spring, and that's only going to help us overall next fall," Roberts said.
The offense holds the red practice jerseys after winning the final jersey scrimmage last fall.
"We are always in a position to hold onto the red jerseys, as long as we hang onto the football and don't fumble or throw any interceptions," he said. "If we don't put the ball on the ground, we'll win most of the time; when we don't, it will be because of turnovers."
Leadership
Being a senior, Roberts knows that he'll be required to be a leader on the team.
"Being a leader at my position will come easy for me, but I've got to be more of a leader for the total offense, and I'm working on that," he said. "I've got to be able to help motivate people, because that's what's going to make a difference in this year's team -- enthusiasm and motivation."
Being a receiver, Roberts is also interested in the current quarterback situation and who will be the starter come fall.
"We feel that we have some very good quarterbacks this year, and I know that the best one for the position will get the call.
"I have faith in our coaches and in our quarterbacks, and I know that whoever gets the job will be our leader and help us to reach our goals, which is to win the Gateway Conference and a national championship," he added.
"This isn't about any individual players; this is a team sport, and whether we use one quarterback or four, the ultimate goal is to win, and we'll do whatever it takes to reach that goal."
The tight end in the YSU offense plays a vital role, not only receiving, but also blocking on runs and passing situations. However, there has been one play in the YSU offense that has been tremendously successful over the last few years, the throwback pass to the fullback in the flat.
"I get excited every time I hear that play called," said Roberts. "It's exciting, but it is also a little scary because you know that the defense is going to fall for the fakes and that I'm going to be all alone, wide open out there and all I'm worried about is hanging onto the football.
"It's an exciting play, and it's been pretty successful for us over the years. I can't wait until the first time they call it," he said.