Interview: 2020 DL Ben Roe is That Tough as Nails Presence in De La Salle’s Trenches

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The De La Salle High School football program is storied for a reason. The Spartans have a winning tradition on the field that carries off of it permeating through the locker room, weight room, and on the practice field forcing the head up high and the chest to proudly stick out. Big expectations come with suiting up for the Concord area squad, and those expectations have been met on the field game after game by Class of 2020 defensive lineman Ben Roe.

Roe is that talent on the field that unwisely gets overlooked. One gets the sense that opposing teams underestimate him until they have to face him realizing he is as good as advertised. When the ball is snapped, Roe is consistently the quickest out of his stance putting immediate pressure on opposing linemen to play catch up. Once engaged, Roe’s physical strength is off the charts with a squat max at 500 pounds, bench at 405, and a power clean hitting 315. His physical movements and use of hands along with leverage are aided by being one of the top wrestlers in the state of California.

Despite playing against the best of the best in the Golden State and helping De La Salle to a 12-1 record in 2018 with an end of season No. 4 national ranking by MaxPreps, and as a two-way player, college coaches have been slow to get to the 6-0, 270-pound, talent. Roe is out to prove his doubters wrong and force college coaches to pay attention with an aggressive summer camp circuit schedule.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of California’s top overlooked defensive linemen in the 2020 class gaining insight on his talents and recruiting process.

Interview

Ben, year after year De La Salle is not only one of the top teams in California but in the country. That winning tradition does not happen by chance. What is the day to day life like as a Spartans’ football player?

“It is not just about football, it is about grades, being a good person, and being a good man. The coaches at De La Salle teach you to be a good player and a good man, and someone who helps in their community. We put a lot of work into our team. We get there at 7-o’clock and we don’t leave until 9-o’clock at night. We are always training, weight lifting, and running. We get one day off a week.”

You guys play a tough schedule going against some of the best in California. What are the differences between practices and games?

“I think there have been times, no offense to some of the teams we play, but our scout gives us a better game over some league games. We have a dedicated scout team. They come to play and make us better. It is fun. They enjoy it and are into it. It is like a scrimmage game in practice. We have good depth too. We have skill and are three-deep at most positions.”

Which game last season was a challenge for you, but how did that adversity going up against a tough offensive lineman help make you better?

“I got a confidence booster against Mater Dei (back-to-back national champs). I was able to handle it better than I thought, which will help this season. It wasn’t as big of a challenge as it seemed to be going into the game.”

How do you feel your game improved last season?

“I feel like my game improved with my speed and my hand speed. I am working on those areas the most this offseason – my get off and hand speed. If you can beat the bigger offensive linemen, that is a game changer. You beat the man you change the game. You just have to be faster than those guys.”

You have a motor at the snap of the ball and you are quick off the snap, what are some of the other strengths to your game?

“My strength is a big part of my game. Being able to get around people and to get through people are strengths to my game. Wrestling, that helps with moving people. Wrestling helps with football. The experience knowing where you are in space, that sense you have on the field that comes with playing time is a strength.”

Are you staying at defensive tackle during your senior year or will we see you moving around some?

“I have been playing on offense, I don’t advertise it as much. I will be starting at guard and defensive tackle. I will do whatever else the coaches need of me.”

You mentioned your speed and hand-fighting, what else are you working on this spring?

“This spring is mostly about speed, my get off, hand-fighting, and my change of direction – my hips. I like to be good at short distance and long distance with explosive speed. I am working on all the things I will need at the next level.”

You have mentioned your strength a couple of times. Have you maxed out this offseason in the weight room?

“Yes. On squat, my max was 500. My bench was 405 and my clean was 315.”

Wow. Impressive.

“Thank you.”

Are you going to any camps this offseason to showcase your skills?

“Yes. Upcoming I am going to the Nike Regional in Oakland and college camps with Stanford, Cal again, Sacramento State, UC-Davis, and Cal-Poly.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“I am receiving interest from Wyoming, USC – I am to meet with them on Tuesday afternoon, Cal, and Fresno State.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“I’d like to visit Oregon, Boise State, and possibly Washington.”

I know you also wrestle for De La Salle, as mentioned. How did your season on the mat go?

“I won NCS this year, I took first place. I went to state. I have won my league three times now. I was a three-year starter at 285 on varsity. This year, in 2019, I will be in the Top 3 or Top 5 for the entire state.”

Last question. If you could send a message to every college coach in the country, what message would you send them so they knew more about Ben Roe?

“The one thing I would say, it is about my life choices. I would never do drugs or alcohol. That is not my life style. My work ethic is second to none and has been that way since I was 12 or 11-years-old.”

Ben, it was great learning more about you and your play on the field today. I appreciate your time.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Roe family; Ben Roe in action