Photo by: Ariel Fox
Deonte Roberts: Brooklyn to Rutgers
Nov 21 | Football
Senior Deonte Roberts made his Rutgers debut as a true freshman in the 2015 season opener and has played in every game since. Over the years, the Brooklyn native has a lot of memories and accomplishments to look back on during his time as a Scarlet Knight.
It all started when Roberts picked up football at age nine playing with friends. He was not sure he wanted to pursue the sport, but went ahead with the urging of his mother.
"At first, I didn't really want to play football, this isn't for me, but my mom told me not to quit," Roberts said. "I kept going and started to like it. Football has made me who I am ever since."
Roberts played safety and linebacker for Erasmus Hall High School. He was named All-Brooklyn Defensive MVP by the Brooklyn Eagle after totaling 77 tackles, 15 for loss, three sacks, five forced fumbles and three pass breakups as a senior. The team reached the New York City Public School Athletic League title game at Yankee Stadium in his final three high school seasons, winning it as a sophomore for first championship in school history.
"To get to the field after school, we would take the bus and then get on a train," Roberts said. "Then we would walk about two blocks.
"High school football in Brooklyn is really competitive. A lot of guys were not highly recruited coming out. It was really gritty because you got to compete against guys who might have a lot of offers, so trying to get your film out there, so it was real tough, but it kind of made me the man I am today."
Rutgers presented a scholarship offer and Roberts accepted.
"It came down to playing at Rutgers or at UCF," Roberts said. "I did not want to go too far to play and I wanted to play against one of my good friends that is in the NFL now, Curtis Samuel, who was at Ohio State. So it was a no-brainer for me; close to home, good education, Big Ten."
Roberts played in all 12 games as a true freshman, including one start. He then took over as the starting middle linebacker in 2016 and has started every game there since.
"Leading the defense, every call and adjustment comes from the mike," Robert said. "Just like on the offense, the quarterback is the adjustments guy so just making those adjustments, making sure everybody is on the same page. That is the most important thing playing as the mike."
Roberts finished fifth in the Big Ten with 8.7 tackles per game in 2017. He has 281 career stops, which is 30th among all active FBS players, and has a shot to become the 12th player in school history to reach 300 tackles. In addition, Roberts has led or tied the team lead in tackles 11 times, with seven games reaching double digits.
"My favorite part of football is the contact," Roberts said. "It is one of those things where I can come out here and let off some steam. I also enjoy always being around my teammates. These are the people that you have a lifelong relationship with, people that you are playing with now. The relationships that you have when you are playing this game are amazing."
His teammates noticed the leadership, durability and production and voted Roberts a team captain as a junior, a rare honor. He is now a two-time captain and understands the responsibility.
"It is very important and an honor," Roberts said. "I try to set an example and leave these guys with something. Just trying to leave it out on the field for these guys. I know I have their respect just because they elected me twice and it has been a great honor doing it. I just hope to end it the right way, with my teammates' honor and respect."
"Deonte is always smiling and brings great energy every day," head coach Chris Ash said. "He is a great teammate overall."
Through it all, Roberts has numerous memories on and off the field, but some stick out more than others.
"On the field, the Maryland blackout game last year," Roberts remembers. "A lot of people were writing us off and then we came out and got a win. We played hard until the very end and held them after a long drive. That showed all the hard work pays off.
"Off the field, just this whole year, coming into my last year working with these guys and really just enjoying being around the different teammates. Not even in the linebacking corps, but the specialists and the quarterbacks and receivers, creating relationships that will last forever."
Roberts has been a consistent presence once again this year, being in top 10 in tackles in the Big Ten and also blocking a field goal and returning it 64 yards for a touchdown at Kansas.
After his football career ends, Roberts hopes to get into entertainment. The labor studies major is set to graduate this spring.
"Hopefully, I get a chance at the next level, God-willing," Roberts said. "I want to carry on with football, but want to get into commercials and acting."
Whichever direction Roberts goes, he will remember the life lessons taught by football and his Brooklyn roots.
It all started when Roberts picked up football at age nine playing with friends. He was not sure he wanted to pursue the sport, but went ahead with the urging of his mother.
"At first, I didn't really want to play football, this isn't for me, but my mom told me not to quit," Roberts said. "I kept going and started to like it. Football has made me who I am ever since."
Roberts played safety and linebacker for Erasmus Hall High School. He was named All-Brooklyn Defensive MVP by the Brooklyn Eagle after totaling 77 tackles, 15 for loss, three sacks, five forced fumbles and three pass breakups as a senior. The team reached the New York City Public School Athletic League title game at Yankee Stadium in his final three high school seasons, winning it as a sophomore for first championship in school history.
"To get to the field after school, we would take the bus and then get on a train," Roberts said. "Then we would walk about two blocks.
"High school football in Brooklyn is really competitive. A lot of guys were not highly recruited coming out. It was really gritty because you got to compete against guys who might have a lot of offers, so trying to get your film out there, so it was real tough, but it kind of made me the man I am today."
Rutgers presented a scholarship offer and Roberts accepted.
"It came down to playing at Rutgers or at UCF," Roberts said. "I did not want to go too far to play and I wanted to play against one of my good friends that is in the NFL now, Curtis Samuel, who was at Ohio State. So it was a no-brainer for me; close to home, good education, Big Ten."
Roberts played in all 12 games as a true freshman, including one start. He then took over as the starting middle linebacker in 2016 and has started every game there since.
"Leading the defense, every call and adjustment comes from the mike," Robert said. "Just like on the offense, the quarterback is the adjustments guy so just making those adjustments, making sure everybody is on the same page. That is the most important thing playing as the mike."
Roberts finished fifth in the Big Ten with 8.7 tackles per game in 2017. He has 281 career stops, which is 30th among all active FBS players, and has a shot to become the 12th player in school history to reach 300 tackles. In addition, Roberts has led or tied the team lead in tackles 11 times, with seven games reaching double digits.
"My favorite part of football is the contact," Roberts said. "It is one of those things where I can come out here and let off some steam. I also enjoy always being around my teammates. These are the people that you have a lifelong relationship with, people that you are playing with now. The relationships that you have when you are playing this game are amazing."
His teammates noticed the leadership, durability and production and voted Roberts a team captain as a junior, a rare honor. He is now a two-time captain and understands the responsibility.
"It is very important and an honor," Roberts said. "I try to set an example and leave these guys with something. Just trying to leave it out on the field for these guys. I know I have their respect just because they elected me twice and it has been a great honor doing it. I just hope to end it the right way, with my teammates' honor and respect."
"Deonte is always smiling and brings great energy every day," head coach Chris Ash said. "He is a great teammate overall."
Through it all, Roberts has numerous memories on and off the field, but some stick out more than others.
"On the field, the Maryland blackout game last year," Roberts remembers. "A lot of people were writing us off and then we came out and got a win. We played hard until the very end and held them after a long drive. That showed all the hard work pays off.
"Off the field, just this whole year, coming into my last year working with these guys and really just enjoying being around the different teammates. Not even in the linebacking corps, but the specialists and the quarterbacks and receivers, creating relationships that will last forever."
Roberts has been a consistent presence once again this year, being in top 10 in tackles in the Big Ten and also blocking a field goal and returning it 64 yards for a touchdown at Kansas.
After his football career ends, Roberts hopes to get into entertainment. The labor studies major is set to graduate this spring.
"Hopefully, I get a chance at the next level, God-willing," Roberts said. "I want to carry on with football, but want to get into commercials and acting."
Whichever direction Roberts goes, he will remember the life lessons taught by football and his Brooklyn roots.
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