Roberts is real ‘heart and soul’ of defense
University of Houston coach Tom Herman was on the headset preparing for the next offensive series when tight ends coach Corby Meekins interrupted Saturday night.
“He caught the ball!” Meekins screamed into his headset. “He caught the ball!” Elandon Roberts has done just about everything for the UH defense this season, a “hammerhead guy” for his ability to deliver bone-rattling hits. But his interception of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch midway through the fourth quarter may go down as his most significant contribution, a seasonsaving play that kept alive the Cougars’ hopes of an unbeaten season and conference title.
“At the time it was just the type of thing trying to make a play for the team and making sure I tucked that ball away,” said Roberts, a senior inside linebacker and team captain.
The Cougars converted a touchdown off the turnover en route to a dramatic 20-point comeback to beat Memphis 35-34.
Roberts had careerhigh 18 tackles, including two for loss and a sack, to earn American Athletic Conference and AutoNation National Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“He’s the heart and soul of our defense,” Herman said.
Uptick in tackles
Roberts is among the favorites for AAC Defensive Player of the Year and is having an All-America worthy season with 117 tackles, which ranks fourth in Football Bowl Subdivision, 12.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and one forced fumble.
With the possibility of at least four games remaining, the 6-0, 235-pound Roberts is on pace for 164, a total that would rank as the thirdhighest single-season total in school history.
Not bad for a guy who had 33 total tackles in his first two seasons at UH.
“He works extremely hard,” UH defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said.
Whether it’s a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, Orlando said Roberts does not change his routine. Play hard, hit hard.
“He’s a big strong guy,” Orlando said. “His game is not finesse. It’s getting to the ball and plowing through people.”
Leader in locker room
Along with his play on the field, Roberts has also developed a reputation as a vocal leader.
“He does a tremendous job rallying the troops,” Herman said. “He’s the coach in the locker room, so to speak. He’s very aligned with what we feel our culture needs to be and makes than known to our team each and every day.”
Before coming to UH, Roberts, a Port Arthur native, played one season at Morgan State. He finished with 107 tackles to finish 11th in voting for the Jerry Rice Award, presented to the nation’s top freshman in Football Championship Subdivision.
“I respect both levels (I’ve played),” Roberts said. “Sometimes it just shows for the future players that no matter what level you’re on anybody can make it.”