Chance Roberts never lived anywhere west of Ohio, “but I’ve always wondered what it was like to live in the warmer-weather states,” he said.
So, the former Albany offensive lineman traded in the harsh winters of Central New York for a blazing-hot summer in Southern Arizona and joined the Arizona Wildcats for his final season of college football.
While weather is a change of pace for Roberts, it’s not the reason he’s transferring to the UA this season. Roberts said Arizona offensive line coach Josh Oglesby “is a guy who’s going to nitpick everything that I do and correct it and get me ready (for the NFL).”
“He’s a guy who was in the NFL and played at Wisconsin, so he’s been in big-time O-Line programs,” Roberts said of Oglesby. “I’m just ready for him to critique me.”
The 6-5, 300-pound Roberts spent the early stages of his college career at Tiffin University, then transferred to Albany to play for offensive line coach Jacob Alsadek, who played for Arizona under former head coach Rich Rodriguez. Alsadek’s last season at Arizona was in 2017, when the Wildcats went to the Foster Farms Bowl, but lost to Purdue.
Roberts played in seven games at left tackle for the Great Danes, but started five games at left guard, a position he’ll play at Arizona. The Wildcats also have defensive tackle-converted-offensive lineman Chubba Ma’ae, who took reps at left guard this spring. After Arizona’s spring showcase, offensive coordinator Seth Doege noted interior offensive line as a position of need in the transfer portal.
“That’s pretty much the sole reason they want me,” Roberts said. “They did mention that I have the flexibility, in a pinch, to play tackle if they need me to. That’s all good, because I had to do that here (at Albany) when our All-American tackle went down, so I had to fill those shoes. I’m used to bouncing around, but hopefully I don’t have to. But I’m definitely willing.”
Roberts joined “Spears & Ali” on ESPN Tucson Monday morning to talk about joining Arizona, learning from Alsadek, his background and living out his dream in a video game. Here’s part of the interview:
Former Albany offensive lineman Chance Roberts is joining the Arizona Wildcats for his senior season.
Why did you commit to Arizona?
A: “My biggest thing was the coaches. They emphasized the need for me and the want for me to be there. Other than my other options, they were the hardest recruiters and they seemed like the smartest guys. I’ve been talking to Coach Doege a lot. I mean, he gets me fired up and ready to run through a wall just by talking on the phone. It’s a great opportunity and a great program. My former O-Line coach at Albany played there, so I’ve heard all about his time. Those were the biggest things for me.”
What did you learn from Alsadek?
A: “He is the main reason why I went to Albany out of the portal last year. He was the guy who could take my game to the next level. He’s one of my guys. I talk to him to this day since he’s gotten out of football. He was a smart guy, played in the NFL for a little bit and had everything I was looking for in a coach. I’m coming to Arizona to take that next step and get ready for the league next year.”
How was life growing up in Hilliard, Ohio?
A: “Nice little suburban town right outside of Columbus. When people ask me where I’m from, I always say Columbus. It’s like a revamped farm town. Buildings get thrown up everywhere now and fields are disappearing. It’s a nice spot. I love my home. I wouldn’t want to grow up anywhere else, really. Very middle-class area, not bad. ... It’s a real football town. One of our high schools ran the triple-option (offense) and won two state titles as a public school in Ohio, which is a big deal to a lot of people. That hard-nosed, gritty mindset is still there, but the farm aspect is pretty much gone.”
Did you grow up a fan of Ohio State?
A: “Oh, yeah. I definitely did. I grew up about 20 minutes from campus and I have plenty of friends who went there.”
How would you summarize your college football journey?
A: “Coming out of high school, Covid really screwed me. I went under the radar and was very under-recruited. I came out of high school with four (Division II) offers. I went to Tiffin University, which is one of the better (Division II programs), and played under a great O-Line coach with great dudes. Our center went to Kansas last year, so that gives you an idea of the level of talent we had on our O-Line; everyone else went FCS.
“Our whole coaching staff left after we went undefeated and went to Gardner-Webb, so our whole team went into the portal. I ended up coming here for Coach Alsadek. ... This time, our head coach left and my O-Line coach got out of coaching, so it made sense to enter the portal. I was really happy to get a call from Coach Doege and Coach Oglesby, telling me they wanted me to come play at the Power 4 level in the Big 12 at the University of Arizona. That’s a hell of a feeling.”
Do you carry a chip on shoulder, because you were under-recruited?
A: “For sure. One of the biggest things at Tiffin, our O-Line coach would preach that every day we wake up, we should remember that every single Division I FBS and FCS school passed on us and thought we weren’t good enough. Stuff like that bred greatness from us and I’ve carried that with me ever since. I went up against guys who I thought I was better than, but they were given opportunities that I wasn’t. You can ask any of my trainers, all I’ve ever done is keep my head down and work. It’s gotten me to where I’m at and it’s what I’m going to keep doing. There’s no reason to change up what’s working.”
What are you studying in school and what do you hope to do when you’re done playing football?
A: “At Tiffin, I did supply chain management, which is what I’ve really set myself on. When I came here to Albany, they didn’t offer that, so I switched to business economics. Honestly, when it comes to stuff like that, I really like supply chain management specifically and the logistics aspect of getting products from A to B. The whole process of getting whatever you need across the country, I like the process.”
What do you like to do when you’re not playing football or training?
A: “I’ll hang out with the guys. That’s a big thing I’ll do. I just want to get the room together and get food or hang out at someone’s house. Other than that, I play a lot of College Football 25. I’m a big-time guy on that. I hang out with my girlfriend a lot. That’s about it. I’m not a very complicated guy.”
Since you were at Albany last season, you weren’t in College Football 25, so how excited are you to be in a video game for the first time in your life?
A: “Dude, it’s a dream come true. My dad said when I committed, ‘I’m never getting rid of this game for the rest of my life.’ I have a very similar feeling. I mean, I’ve played NCAA Football 14 for all of these years when they didn’t have a game, so it’s definitely a dream come true. Like I said, my center who went to Kansas, it was cool seeing him in it and now it’s my turn. It’s unbelievable that I’ve made it this far.”
