Draft buzz: Catching up with Central Arkansas CB Robert Rochell

When watching the tape on Central Arkansas, Cornerback, Robert Rochell, I can’t help but to think of Jalen Ramsey. Now I am not saying the Draft prospect is Jalen Ramsey, as he has some work to be at that level. But he has the potential to be as good, if not better, one day in my opinion. At 6-2 180 LBs, the recent NFL Draft Commit, has the size coaches covet at the highest level. Along with great size, Rochell, has the natural ball skills, while in coverage, that teams search for. As well as the quick hips, raw speed, and eye discipline, the young star, has the skill set to be a real problem for offenses.

I sat down with the Shreveport, Louisiana Native, and picked his brain, on his take on the recent NFL buzz, on him? What he feels he brings to a team? and what he was like outside of football?

“As far as all the talk about me lately, I don’t get caught up in all of it. Honestly talk is talk, I need to concern myself with getting better everyday. Be it in the weight room, the film room, or whatever it is. I am always focusing on being the best version of who I am. I feel like if you sit their and your comfortable, you might as well sleep. I mean, as in, you shouldn’t be happy with just the talk. I want to be the best , the best version of me, the best corner I can be. The best football player and teammate I can be. All the rest will take care of itself. This is all in god’s time, and I can’t rush that, or step outside of what I need to be doing. So I keep my focus on what I can control , and that’s it. Don’t get me wrong it is a blessing that people are starting to see I can play, and that scouts have taken notice, but it is only the beginning of all this.”

Moving forward he spoke about who he was outside of football? and what he can bring to a football team?

“Outside of football I am a normal guy. I like to chill out with my friends, be with family when I can. I am not really a guy who looking for a wild time, I mean I am a fun guy, I like to have fun, but not too crazy. I am from Louisiana , so you know I like good food, I like good people. As far as what I bring to a football team, I think I am a guy who is going to work his butt off, and be a leader on and off the field. I am a student of the game, and I love to learn, so I ask questions , and I like to be prepared. So for the team that picks me up they will get a guy, who is a team first person, and a guy who will do what needs to be done. I work hard, and I play hard, and my hard work shows on the field. “

Playing at Central Arkansas, you will hear fans and media alike, say that the competition, isn’t what it would be at say Alabama, or another big school. Honestly it doesn’t matter, when you put on the tape, you see a kid who can do it all on the backend. Capable of playing in multiple spots, and taking a WR away in man coverage. Forget about his school for a second, watch him play, and you will be singing a new tune. I asked Rochell, how he felt about this, and what he would say to it?

“I will say it forever, football is football. I promise you anybody who has played ball will say this. I know the SEC is tough, I do. I played with a bunch of those guys, guys who went to bigger schools. I am from Shreveport, we are talented out there, so I feel like I have been around the best. I have learned a lot playing at Central Arkansas, and honestly would never change it. I love playing here, and I feel like the competition here is the real deal. So to those haters, whatever. let them talk, I am going to focus on getting better, I am gonna focus on me.“

I reached out to a scouting source of mine, and asked him his thoughts on the competition that Rochell, faced? and his thoughts in general on the rising star?

“Rochell, is one of those kids that you want to see more of. You like his build, you like his tape, you love his swagger, and what he brings to the field. He has a ton of solid film that he could hang his hat on. As far as being drafted you never know what a team is thinking, but I like him. I can see him being a guy that gets drafted on the third day, sticks to a team, and becomes a good starter for 10 seasons. He has the tools, and the look of a guy that could be a steal at some point, as much as I hate that saying. As far as competition, who cares? Can he play the game? does he have the skills you covet? forget about the other guys. At the end of the day, you have to let your eyes make the decision. You need to know what you are looking at. He looks like the real deal.”

Robert, announced on Twitter, that he would be entering the NFL Draft. The first step of many, in a long road and journey for the kid from Shreveport. As far as what will happen, who really knows? What I do know, is that when I watch his tape, I trust my eyes tell. What they tell me is that Robert Rochell, has the ability, and tools, to be an NFL corner.

@JonM_Salter