Craig Roh
Encyclopedia
Craig Robert Roh is an American football
player from Scottsdale, Arizona
. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona
for the 2008-2009 academic year and received the 2009 Scholar-Athlete Award from the College Football Hall of Fame
. He enrolled at the University of Michigan
in 2009 and started all 12 games at the "hybrid linebacker
" position as a true freshman. Roh is currently the starter at the defensive end
position for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team
. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.
. His father, Fred Roh, played basketball
at Grand Valley State University
in Allendale, Michigan
. Roh attended Paradise Valley Christian Prep for junior high, and also attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, where he was a member of the varsity football and basketball teams. He was a standout at the defensive end
position for the Chaparral football team. As a junior in 2007, Roh recorded 99 tackle
s, 45 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. As a senior in 2008, he recorded 140 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 16.5 sack
s, one interception and two fumble
recoveries. He broke the school record for sacks in both years. He also helped lead Chaparral to the Arizona Class 4A-I state championship game in 2008.
Roh was selected by The Arizona Republic
and East Valley Tribune
as a first-team All-Arizona player as a junior and again as a senior. He was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona and received the Curley Culp
Award as the outstanding defensive lineman in Arizona. With a high school grade point average of 4.3, he was also selected for the 2009 Scholar-Athlete Award from the College Football Hall of Fame
.
as the fourth-best defensive end and the No. 48 player in the nation at all positions. Scout.com
rated him as the eighth-best defensive end and the No. 67 overall player in the nation. Rivals.com
rated him as the seventh-best defensive end, the No. 156 overall player, and the No. 3 quickest first step among defensive ends.
With his combination of size (6 feet, 5 inches, and 230 pounds), strength (bench press
of 280 pounds, squat
of 400 pounds) and speed (4.675 in the 40-yard dash), Roh received scholarship
offers from many of the major college football
programs, including Arizona State
, Cal
, Nebraska
, Stanford
, UCLA
and USC. In late August 2008, Roh made an official visit to the University of Michigan
. He announced his commitment to Michigan three weeks later on September 19, 2008.
In January 2009, Roh played as a defensive end in the Under Armour All-America Game
in Orlando, Florida
, recording a sack and several quarterback hurries.
and joined the football team for summer practice in August 2009. He impressed the coaching staff during summer practice and earned a spot in the starting lineup as a true freshman. His speed and athleticism were attributes that drew the coaches' attention. Michigan's tailback
, Carlos Brown
, described seeing the big freshman running by his side, and keeping up. Brown added, "He turned around and looked at me, and I said, 'That's Craig Roh running with me right down the field?' It's ridiculous. He's real fast."
Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez
said that Roh had adapted so quickly that it was tough to deny him. Rodriguez added, "Probably for me, it was the one-on-one pass-rush drills that they did against the varsity or upperclass offensive linemen. He was a handful for those guys to block. . . . [H]e's a hard worker that wants to be great – he doesn't want to be good, he wants to be great. I'm excited to see what he's going to do." Michigan offensive tackle Stephen Schilling
confirmed that Roh had "given some of the older guys some fits."
". Roh describe his role as follows: "I'm that hybrid type of position. Half linebacker, half defensive lineman." The position requires Roh to be versatile, with duties that vary from rushing the quarterback to dropping into pass coverage or filling a gap. Roh has said that his favorite thing to do is sack the quarterback. He told one interviewer, "I love hitting the quarterback. I love it! When I get there it's . . . there's nothing like it." But Roh has emphasized in interviews that he enjoys the hybrid role. He told The Detroit News: "I love the versatility of (my position). It makes me a more complete football player."
Roh was named Michigan's defensive player of the game in the third game of the season, a 45–17 victory over Eastern Michigan
. Roh had seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, assisted on a sack and recorded his first collegiate interception late in the third quarter.
Roh and quarterback Tate Forcier
were the only two freshman to start all 12 games for Michigan during the 2009 season. For the season, Roh had 37 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and three pass breakups. At the conclusion of the 2008 football season, Roh was named to the Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten
team. He was also selected as a Freshman All-American honorable mention by College Football News
.
s Adam Rittenberg
, Roh described himself as "tiny" among Big Ten defensive linemen. Accordingly, he spent the offseason bulking up in the weight room and "followed a diet most people would dream about: six meals and more than 4,000 calories a day." Roh told Rittenberg, "I have crazy metabolism, and putting on weight was tough for me. It's something I've really got to concentrate on. Some meals, you're like, 'I really don't want to eat this right now,' but you have to."
During spring practice, Roh again impressed the coaching staff. Michigan's defensive coordinator
Greg Robinson
mentioned Roh as one of the players who had "stepped up" in the spring camp. He was identified as one of the players who "could be counted on to at least partially fill [Brandon] Graham's role of chasing the quarterback." AnnArbor.com
cited him as one of the "Top 5 revelations" from spring practice and concluded that "he appears ready to take over as Michigan's top pass rusher next year." Roh himself acknowledged, "I'm a guy that's expected to perform this year. BG [Graham] was just an amazing player, and I feel like in some sense I need to replace what he's done."
Shortly before the 2010 season opener, The Michigan Daily and the Bleacher Report
web site referred to him as Craig "Death" Roh. The Detroit News
also published a profile on Roh under the headline, "Bulked-up linebacker Craig Roh to anchor young U-M defense." Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said at the time, "Craig is just another year into it. He showed versatility last year, now he's a little bigger, a little stronger, a little smarter about everything that's going on. He's a real good football player."
After the Connecticut game, Roh told reporters, "Last year, we weren't good, so this year we wanted to come out and make a statement." He was also an outspoken defender of Michigan's embattled head coach, Rich Rodriguez. Following the Connecticut game, he told reporters: "He's had more on him than any other coach in the USA. He's just stayed so positive, and he's just kept his eyes toward the goal. To get this win right here, it's a stepping stone to what greater things can happen this season."
After a 28–24 win against Notre Dame
, Roh spoke publicly about the character of the Michigan team. He noted that the team had adopted the battle cry
, "Hoka Hey," a Lakota
phrase that traces its roots back to Oglala Lakota
Chief Crazy Horse
. Roh told reporters that the chant translates as "it's a great day to die." Roh noted that the chant had become a rallying cry for the team: "They literally aren't going to die. It's sacrifice for your teammate. It's the whole team. We're relying on the offense; the offense is relying on us. We all count on each other and would take a bullet for each other."
Asked about the succes of his fellow sophomore Denard Robinson
, Roh recalled having to chase him through spring practice and noted it was nice having someone else chase him. Roh added, "I had to chase that guy all spring and let me tell you, it's not easy catching that guy."
. After Roh appeared lifeless during a telephone conversation, his father flew from Arizona to Ann Arbor. They spent two days in Roh's apartment assessing where he was in life and football and reviewing Bible verses. During the visit with his father, Roh reported having an epiphany, and Michigan's coaching staff saw a turnaround in Roh's performance. Through the first seven games of the 2011 season, Roh had 13 solo tackles and seven assists. He led the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and was second on the team with 2.5 sacks. Following the 2011 Big Ten Conference football season
, he earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition from the media.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player from Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
. He was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
for the 2008-2009 academic year and received the 2009 Scholar-Athlete Award from the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. He enrolled at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 2009 and started all 12 games at the "hybrid linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
" position as a true freshman. Roh is currently the starter at the defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
position for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team
2011 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team represents the University of Michigan during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines play in the Legends Division of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which hosted its first...
. He was a 2011 All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Early years
Roh grew up in Scottsdale, ArizonaScottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
. His father, Fred Roh, played basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
at Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
in Allendale, Michigan
Allendale Charter Township, Michigan
Allendale Charter Township is a charter township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 20,708...
. Roh attended Paradise Valley Christian Prep for junior high, and also attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, where he was a member of the varsity football and basketball teams. He was a standout at the defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
position for the Chaparral football team. As a junior in 2007, Roh recorded 99 tackle
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
s, 45 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. As a senior in 2008, he recorded 140 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 16.5 sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s, one interception and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries. He broke the school record for sacks in both years. He also helped lead Chaparral to the Arizona Class 4A-I state championship game in 2008.
Roh was selected by The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
and East Valley Tribune
East Valley Tribune
The East Valley Tribune is a publication concentrating on cities within the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, including Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek....
as a first-team All-Arizona player as a junior and again as a senior. He was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona and received the Curley Culp
Curley Culp
Curley Culp is a former professional American football player. An offensive and defensive lineman, he played college football at Arizona State University, was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion while at ASU, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs...
Award as the outstanding defensive lineman in Arizona. With a high school grade point average of 4.3, he was also selected for the 2009 Scholar-Athlete Award from the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Recruiting
During his senior year, Roh became one of the most highly recruited high school football players in the United States. He was rated by ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
as the fourth-best defensive end and the No. 48 player in the nation at all positions. Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
rated him as the eighth-best defensive end and the No. 67 overall player in the nation. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
rated him as the seventh-best defensive end, the No. 156 overall player, and the No. 3 quickest first step among defensive ends.
With his combination of size (6 feet, 5 inches, and 230 pounds), strength (bench press
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
of 280 pounds, squat
Squat (exercise)
In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads , hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body...
of 400 pounds) and speed (4.675 in the 40-yard dash), Roh received scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
offers from many of the major college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
programs, including Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils football
The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference....
, Cal
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
, Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
, Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
, UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
and USC. In late August 2008, Roh made an official visit to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He announced his commitment to Michigan three weeks later on September 19, 2008.
In January 2009, Roh played as a defensive end in the Under Armour All-America Game
Under Armour All-America Game
The Under Armour High School All-America Game is a high school football all-star game typically held in early January in the U.S. state of Florida created to spotlight the nation’s top high school seniors. The game was first played on January 5, 2008 and is annually been played at the Citrus Bowl...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, recording a sack and several quarterback hurries.
Roh earns starting role as a true freshman
Roh enrolled in Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the ArtsUniversity of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
The University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is the liberal arts and sciences unit of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Established in 1841 with seven students and two teachers, the college is currently the largest unit at U-M in terms of the number of students...
and joined the football team for summer practice in August 2009. He impressed the coaching staff during summer practice and earned a spot in the starting lineup as a true freshman. His speed and athleticism were attributes that drew the coaches' attention. Michigan's tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
, Carlos Brown
Carlos Brown (American football)
-Freshman year:Brown played in 7 games as a freshman in 2006 and earned his first varsity letter. In limited action, Brown carried 16 times for 41 yards.-Sophomore year:...
, described seeing the big freshman running by his side, and keeping up. Brown added, "He turned around and looked at me, and I said, 'That's Craig Roh running with me right down the field?' It's ridiculous. He's real fast."
Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
said that Roh had adapted so quickly that it was tough to deny him. Rodriguez added, "Probably for me, it was the one-on-one pass-rush drills that they did against the varsity or upperclass offensive linemen. He was a handful for those guys to block. . . . [H]e's a hard worker that wants to be great – he doesn't want to be good, he wants to be great. I'm excited to see what he's going to do." Michigan offensive tackle Stephen Schilling
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Dana Schilling is an American football offensive guard for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was included on the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Lombardi Award...
confirmed that Roh had "given some of the older guys some fits."
The "hybrid linebacker" position
Roh started all 12 games for Michigan in 2009, playing at a position variously called the "quick" or "hybrid linebackerLinebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
". Roh describe his role as follows: "I'm that hybrid type of position. Half linebacker, half defensive lineman." The position requires Roh to be versatile, with duties that vary from rushing the quarterback to dropping into pass coverage or filling a gap. Roh has said that his favorite thing to do is sack the quarterback. He told one interviewer, "I love hitting the quarterback. I love it! When I get there it's . . . there's nothing like it." But Roh has emphasized in interviews that he enjoys the hybrid role. He told The Detroit News: "I love the versatility of (my position). It makes me a more complete football player."
Success as a freshman
After Roh's first start, Coach Rodriguez said of him, "He's got a high motor, he's a guy who loves football, he plays so hard on every snap." Michigan's All-American defensive lineman Brandon Graham added, "Oh, I seen Craig Roh out there, you know, sticking his nose in there, and he did good for today and all he can do is get better."Roh was named Michigan's defensive player of the game in the third game of the season, a 45–17 victory over Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan Eagles football
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are a college football program at Eastern Michigan University. They compete in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference...
. Roh had seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, assisted on a sack and recorded his first collegiate interception late in the third quarter.
Roh and quarterback Tate Forcier
Tate Forcier
Robert Patrick "Tate" Forcier is an American college football quarterback. He was a starting quarterback for the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team ahead of Denard Robinson and Robinson's back up for the 2010 Michigan Wolverines football team before leaving the program in January 2011...
were the only two freshman to start all 12 games for Michigan during the 2009 season. For the season, Roh had 37 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and three pass breakups. At the conclusion of the 2008 football season, Roh was named to the Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
team. He was also selected as a Freshman All-American honorable mention by College Football News
College Football News
College Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
.
Weight gain and spring practice
During the offseason, Roh gained 20 pounds to increase his weight to 251 pounds. In an interview with ESPN.comESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
s Adam Rittenberg
Adam Rittenberg
Adam Rittenberg is a blogger and sports journalist for ESPN's college football section dedicated to the Big Ten Conference in college football. Before 2008 when he joined ESPN, he was a sports writer at Daily Herald in Illinois. Rittenberg is a graduate of Northwestern University and resides near...
, Roh described himself as "tiny" among Big Ten defensive linemen. Accordingly, he spent the offseason bulking up in the weight room and "followed a diet most people would dream about: six meals and more than 4,000 calories a day." Roh told Rittenberg, "I have crazy metabolism, and putting on weight was tough for me. It's something I've really got to concentrate on. Some meals, you're like, 'I really don't want to eat this right now,' but you have to."
During spring practice, Roh again impressed the coaching staff. Michigan's defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Greg Robinson
Greg Robinson
-External links:**-References:...
mentioned Roh as one of the players who had "stepped up" in the spring camp. He was identified as one of the players who "could be counted on to at least partially fill [Brandon] Graham's role of chasing the quarterback." AnnArbor.com
AnnArbor.com
AnnArbor.com is an online newspaper that covers local news of Ann Arbor, Michigan and the surrounding Washtenaw County, Michigan.- Overview :...
cited him as one of the "Top 5 revelations" from spring practice and concluded that "he appears ready to take over as Michigan's top pass rusher next year." Roh himself acknowledged, "I'm a guy that's expected to perform this year. BG [Graham] was just an amazing player, and I feel like in some sense I need to replace what he's done."
Shortly before the 2010 season opener, The Michigan Daily and the Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report is a website that provides news and fans' opinions of sporting events.The website was launched in February 2008 by California-based entrepreneurs Dave Finocchio, Zander Freund, Bryan Goldberg, and Dave Nemetz...
web site referred to him as Craig "Death" Roh. The Detroit News
The Detroit News
The Detroit News is one of the two major newspapers in the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan. The paper began in 1873, when it rented space in the rival Free Press's building. The News absorbed the Detroit Tribune on February 1, 1919, the Detroit Journal on July 21, 1922, and on November 7, 1960,...
also published a profile on Roh under the headline, "Bulked-up linebacker Craig Roh to anchor young U-M defense." Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said at the time, "Craig is just another year into it. He showed versatility last year, now he's a little bigger, a little stronger, a little smarter about everything that's going on. He's a real good football player."
Development as team leader
In the first two games of the 2010 season, Roh began to establish himself as a team leader. Roh recorded five tackles and two tackles for loss in Michigan's season opener, a 30–10 win against Connecticut. One writer praised Roh's performance as follows:"Denard RobinsonDenard RobinsonDenard Xavier Robinson , nicknamed Shoelace, is an American football player who is playing his junior season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. He started at quarterback in all 13 games for the Michigan Wolverines football team in 2010...
stole the spotlight during the Wolverines' opener on Saturday, but don't be fooled into thinking that Roh wasn't just as exciting to watch, even without the ball in his hands. One could be forgiven for losing track of Roh because he lined up all over the field. From the five technique to outside linebacker to middle linebacker, playing both in a three-point stance and with his hand off the ground, Roh was very rarely in the same spot twice."
After the Connecticut game, Roh told reporters, "Last year, we weren't good, so this year we wanted to come out and make a statement." He was also an outspoken defender of Michigan's embattled head coach, Rich Rodriguez. Following the Connecticut game, he told reporters: "He's had more on him than any other coach in the USA. He's just stayed so positive, and he's just kept his eyes toward the goal. To get this win right here, it's a stepping stone to what greater things can happen this season."
After a 28–24 win against Notre Dame
2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2010 college football season. The team's head football coach was Brian Kelly. The Irish played their home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana...
, Roh spoke publicly about the character of the Michigan team. He noted that the team had adopted the battle cry
Battle cry
A battle cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same military unit.Battle cries are not necessarily articulate, although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religious sentiment....
, "Hoka Hey," a Lakota
Lakota language
Lakota is a Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribes. While generally taught and considered by speakers as a separate language, Lakota is mutually understandable with the other two languages , and is considered by most linguists one of the three major varieties of the Sioux...
phrase that traces its roots back to Oglala Lakota
Oglala Lakota
The Oglala Lakota or Oglala Sioux are one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people; along with the Nakota and Dakota, they make up the Great Sioux Nation. A majority of the Oglala live on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the eighth-largest Native American reservation in the...
Chief Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was a Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota. He took up arms against the U.S...
. Roh told reporters that the chant translates as "it's a great day to die." Roh noted that the chant had become a rallying cry for the team: "They literally aren't going to die. It's sacrifice for your teammate. It's the whole team. We're relying on the offense; the offense is relying on us. We all count on each other and would take a bullet for each other."
Asked about the succes of his fellow sophomore Denard Robinson
Denard Robinson
Denard Xavier Robinson , nicknamed Shoelace, is an American football player who is playing his junior season for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team. He started at quarterback in all 13 games for the Michigan Wolverines football team in 2010...
, Roh recalled having to chase him through spring practice and noted it was nice having someone else chase him. Roh added, "I had to chase that guy all spring and let me tell you, it's not easy catching that guy."
2011 season
As a junior, Roh was moved to defensive end. After contracting a respiratory infection over the summer, Roh's performance suffered in the early games of the 2011 season. He came under criticism from Michigan's new defensive coordinator, Greg MattisonGreg Mattison
Greg Mattison is an American football coach and former player in the United States. He is the current defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan football team....
. After Roh appeared lifeless during a telephone conversation, his father flew from Arizona to Ann Arbor. They spent two days in Roh's apartment assessing where he was in life and football and reviewing Bible verses. During the visit with his father, Roh reported having an epiphany, and Michigan's coaching staff saw a turnaround in Roh's performance. Through the first seven games of the 2011 season, Roh had 13 solo tackles and seven assists. He led the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and was second on the team with 2.5 sacks. Following the 2011 Big Ten Conference football season
2011 Big Ten Conference football season
The 2011 Big Ten Conference football season is the 116th and current season for the Big Ten. The conference started its season on Saturday, September 3, as each of the conference’s teams began their respective 2011 season of NCAA Division I FBS competition...
, he earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition from the media.