Interview: 2023 Arizona DL Dylan Roberts is a True Impact Player in the Trenches
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Going forward, when one hears the name Dylan Roberts it will strike fear into the hearts of the opposition the way the names Michael Myers (Halloween), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th), and Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street) does to those who have crossed the fictional characters path on the silver screen and in the movie theater; except Dylan Roberts is 100 percent real.
The 6-3, 275-pound, defensive lineman for Peoria’s Centennial High School put on a nine-game show during his first season against 6A Arizona offenses tallying 37 stops, 20 solo, with 11.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and two quarterback hurries. Seeing Roberts in action is believing. The Class of 2023 standout controls the line of scrimmage with his strength and technique, and will not be outworked proving to be a sideline-to-sideline player. His athleticism is such that the Coyotes also used him on offense at tight end and as a backup offensive lineman.
The college football world has not fully tapped into what Roberts can bring a collegiate roster. Arizona has dropped an offer with interest now coming in from Washington, Boise State, Duke, Columbia, Hawaii, and Iowa State.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Arizona’s best regardless of position in the 2023 class to learn more about his dominating play in the trenches.
Interview
Dylan, you certainly did not look like a sophomore on the field during the 2020 season pushing linemen and around and chasing down quarterbacks and running backs the way you did. Were you personally happy with your performance this season?
I feel like I did well for my first season on varsity. This season I was hungrier and had better stats. I do think I had a good sophomore season.
Your strength pops immediately watching your game film. What are your weight room maxes?
My bench is 415, 515 on squat, and my power clean is 285.
That is very impressive.
Thank you, sir.
Your motor is another big piece to your game which goes hand-in-hand with your footspeed. What gets you pumped up on a Friday night to compete at such a high level?
Keeping it honest, my team. We are pumped each other up in the locker room. Coach Taylor’s pregame speech gets me hyped for the game.
What defense were the Coyotes executing in 2020?
4-3 and a 5-man front. We did not do the 5-man front too much. We did the 40 and 30 more often.
Where all did you line up in the scheme?
I was a tight end in certain packages on offense and on defense I was at defensive tackle and nose guard. On offense, I was also filling in on the line at right guard.
We will circle back to your time on offense in a minute. On defense, which areas of your game saw the biggest improvements?
The biggest improvements were expanding my territory. My coach says my territory is now from sideline to sideline. It used to be small, from tackle to tackle, but then it expanded this season. That is what I improved on that the most.
You were using a swim move and a bull rush with ease, are you adding any other new moves to the toolbelt?
Yeah, getting better at my spin and my fake.
This offseason, what will you focus on with your fundamentals?
I really want to improve my speed and get off. I am doing speed work. My overall change of direction is something else I am focused on this offseason.
Let’s talk about your play on offense. At tight end, how did the season for you as a blocker?
I was doing very well as a blocking tight end. We have a package called 32 Jumbo. One of my teammates and I would help out on the offensive line in that package.
When the 2021 season gets going, are you expanding on that role on the offensive line?
I’m not sure. I will still have my primary position on the defensive line.
Camp season is getting going, are there any camps you may attend coming up?
Going into my freshman year, as eighth grader, I went to a San Diego State and NAU (Northern Arizona) camps. So far I am only planning going to the U-of-A (Arizona) camp.
Dylan, it was a lot of fun getting to know more about the player behind all of those big plays in the trenches for Centennial. Thanks for your time and keep up the hard work this offseason.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Roberts family; Dylan Roberts