By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
It’s a good thing Brad Roach doesn’t mind people looking at him.
Several eyes have been on the former Williamston High School and Catawba College standout as he prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be held April 26-27 in New York City. Roach is patiently waiting for draft day, though he admits he’s getting a bit anxious.
The 6-6, 248-pound All-American quarterback, who has already earned a degree in sports management, opened some eyes after he performed well during a pair of Pro Days. Roach’s latest stint came at Catawba College in front of Chris Palmer, the quarterbacks coach for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
Roach, who has had correspondence from the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, is getting accustomed to the attention.
Roach, the South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, will get another test when he heads to Houston on Thursday for a private meeting with the Texans. He’s expecting to meet the coaches, watch game film and possibly have a full-body physical while in Houston.
Roach’s agent, Robert Walker, the CEO of Charlotte-based US Sports Management, believes his client has a great shot to play in the NFL.
Roach, who participated in the Division II Cactus Bowl All-Star game, put up big numbers his senior season in leading the Indians to a playoff victory. He completed 224 of 376 (59.6 percent) passes for 3,322 yards and 32 touchdown passes.
The former co-captain of the Catawba Indians, who guided his team to an 11-2 record, completed 608 of 1,099 passes (55.3 percent) for 7,874 yards and 62 touchdown passes in his career. He also ran for 138 yards and six scores.
Roach set a handful of records during his career at Catawba. He holds the school record for passing yards in a season (3,322 in 2007), touchdown passes in a season (32 in 2007), touchdown passes in a game (five against Albany State in 2007), completions in a season (224 in 2007), efficiency rating in a season (153.4 in 2007) and passing attempts in a season (384 in 2005).
Those numbers, and his performances during the Pro Days, may help Roach hear his name get called during the NFL Draft. If Roach’s name doesn’t get called during those two days, Walker believes the quarterback will get a good shot as a free agent.
While several NFL teams are reportedly interested in Roach, not many are making it official.
At least one scout compares Roach favorably to Delaware's Joe Flacco, a 6-7 quarterback who is projected as a second-round pick.
Just knowing that teams are showing interest is the step in the right direction.