DT Roach hoping to continue career at post-secondary level

Dylan Roach got into football because a friend of his brought him to a Richmond Raiders practice when he was six years old.

“I liked it and that’s where I started,” said Dylan.

He has spent his gridiron career with the Raiders in the Richmond Minor Football League and with the Hugh Boyd Trojans in the B.C. High School Football League. Dylan’s most memorable experience comes from his time with the Trojans.

“Going into my first senior high school game at Hugh Boyd, starting at 14-years-old, and making my very first sack on the QB,” explains Dylan, “as well as playing in BC Place for the playoffs.”

Eleven years later, the defensive tackle has been a 2015 Provincial All Star and has won an ABC Bowl Defensive Lineman Award/MVP.

Dylan likes playing as a defensive tackle because he likes having the opportunity to show his physical strength by getting off the blocks and making tackles.

“I believe my strength and size combined with my speed gives me an edge as a football player,” added the Trojan, who models his game after JJ Watt. “I like his combination of size, speed and aggression along with his passion for the game.”

Currently, Dylan is playing with the Langley Rams in the Canadian Junior Football League, but has hopes of playing college football.

He says his recruitment process started off slow, but he recently started talking to a few different teams.

“I have not committed to a post-secondary team, but my top three choices would be Manitoba, UBC, and or anywhere down south,” commented Dylan.

The Ram believes his physical abilities will help him keep up with the next level, but he needs to work on the mental aspect of the game, along with his speed.

“I can improve my skill by studying the playbook, watching film and doing fieldwork,” added Dylan.

The defensive tackle hopes to better himself as a player mentally and physically, and to become a better student of the game.

The gridiron veteran says the most influential people in his football career are his teammates, his community and his high school coaches.

“They push me to go further and become a better player,” said Dylan, who says to him, football is more than a sport.

“Overtime it has become a huge part of my life with the people I meet, awards I’ve won and accomplishments I’ve worked for,” explained Dylan. “Going to my very first practice has definitely changed my life and I don’t know what my life would be like without football.”

 

Dylan Roach (#67)
Defensive Tackle
6’3, 305lbs

Teams: Langley Rams (CJFL), Hugh Boyd Trojans (High School)
Position: Defensive tackle
Official visits: N/A
Unofficial visits: Simon Fraser University
Considerations: Manitoba, UBC
Class: 2017