By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
The college search has been an intriguing and, at times, a humbling experience for Devin Roberts. The Warrenton senior has spent much of the past year visiting prospective schools, gauging how he might fit into each program. From Florida to Indiana to Texas, he has logged thousands of miles, competing in camps and workouts. “It was pretty tiring and exhausting,” said Roberts of the recruiting process. “I got to see some of the best places and also some of the worst. I got to meet players and coaches that I wouldn’t have ever expected to meet.” But it will be in a place Roberts is yet to visit that he will make his home for the next two years. The Warriors’ leading receiver from the 2012 season will be taking his talents to the West Coast. Roberts signed a letter of intent to play football for The College of the Desert in California last Friday. “It’s exciting, because I know that I’ll be performing and all the coaches see that I have the potential to play at a high level,” said Roberts. “It takes off the edge to know that I’ll be going in with the coaches liking me.” Roberts says he initially aspired to attend a Division I school, but injuries during his sophomore and junior seasons intervened in the recruiting process. “I was looking at a lot of larger schools as I was younger, but then I got injured and that kind of forced me to start looking at smaller schools,” acknowledged Roberts. He worked to recover the lost time during his senior season, but ultimately, says he wants to take another two years to polish his abilities. “It was like starting over again,” said Roberts. “It was like my sophomore and junior year never happened. I was just a bleep on the radar.” Roberts feels the community college route will allow him that opportunity. “The schools that were paying interest in the area just didn’t really interest me,” said Roberts. “I saw this new route to go to a junior college that produces a lot of Division I athletes. That’s my goal, so I’m taking that route and hopefully I’ll get a chance to play D-I.” Roberts was a Class 4 All-State selection during his senior season, catching a team-high 53 receptions for 919 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a junior, he had 11 grabs for 89 yards in limited action. “He’s got a great set of hands, and there’s a lot of things he can do after the catch,” said McDowell. “He’s a pretty precise route runner too. I’d put him in the Top 5 category as far as receivers go (in school history.)” Roberts will be joining a Roadrunners team that was 4-6 last season, playing other teams from throughout Southern California. “I’m going to there to play wide receiver,” said Roberts. “I might try to play a little bit of defensive back while I’m there.” He plans to pursue a career in athletic training.
Warrenton senior Devin Roberts, seated at center, recently signed a letter of intent to play football for the College of the Desert in California.
Derrick Forsythe Photo.
