Roach leaves his mark

He recorded 136 tackles, 25 of which were behind the line of scrimmage, and tallied 20 sacks. He also racked up honors and awards as he finished the season as district MVP, first-team all-state, and first-team All-Baton Rouge area.

It was a solid junior effort to say the least.

"At the beginning of the year as a team we sat out to be state champions and we came up one game short. As an individual I wanted to win every award possible," Roach said. "I feel like this year I put my name on the ballot for every award and I think I won three of them."

Awards or not, Roach could tell he was improving.

"Last season I feel like I really improved on the defensive side of the ball," Roach said. "We had a great year as a team. I had a great year individually too. I got faster. The game slowed down for me more. I felt like I grew as a player and my football IQ grew. The game really got easier for me this year and I got stronger in the weight room and it showed on the field."

At 6-foot-4, 255-pounds, he has played offense in the past, but he found his home as a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end, and he feels like his future is bright at the position for a few different reasons.

"I don't know it's really like I'm a freelancer over the field," Roach said. "I really get to show my dominance when I'm at outside linebacker or d-end. When I'm at the position I feel like Aldon Smith with the 49ers. I really like how Alabama's linebackers play."

Roach also likes to study film of the great Lawrence Taylor in hopes of immulating his style of play.

"The way he played and how aggressive he was," Roach said. "Whoever was in front of him he didn't believe they could block him and he was going to make the tackle on every single play."

His play has already attracted offers from Grambling and North Texas, but LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Arizona have also shown interest. He plans to attend LSU's Junior Day and he has already developed a few relationships with college coaches.

"Coach Cameron, he's just the person who's recruiting me to come to LSU. He comes to the school a lot, and I talk to him a lot," Roach said. "Coach Burns at Alabama, I've known him since I was little. He coached my dad in college. Coach Calvin Magee at Arizona, I've developed a good relationship with him over the year."

He also has a few college programs standing out early in his mind.

"LSU just beause they're right here down the street from me and I've been watching them growing up," Roach said. "Alabama just because they're so dominant. And I have to say Arizona because some of my friends just signed up there."

Roach may have a few early stand outs but he is also not in a hurry to make a decision. Growing up the son of a coach he knows the recruiting process. He has been in recruiting meetings. He has seen how the process works. As he approaches his own recruiting process, he already has a plan.

"I just want to take things slow and talk things over with my family and whatever is the best decision for me I'm going to make it," Roach said.