Linebacker Jerry Roberts announces return to Arizona for 7th college season
Dec 4, 2022 - 1:47 AMJerry Roberts was not one of the 18 players who participated in Arizona’s Senior Day ceremonies ahead of the Territorial Cup win over ASU, and now we know why.
Roberts announced on Twitter that he’s returning to the UA for the 2023 season, which would be his third with the Wildcats and seventh in college.
A lot of people would’ve gave up with the hand I was dealt but I’m made for it!I Got one more left wildcat nation let’s do it! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/InTVgc74zY
— J.ROB (@Jerryroberts_48) December 4, 2022
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Roberts started all 12 games at linebacker this season for Arizona, finishing second on the team with 78 tackles. He played in nine games for the Wildcats in 2021, his first season with the program following his transfer from Bowling Green, making six starts but missing the finale against ASU after breaking his leg on the first play of the Washington State game the week before.
Roberts spent four years at Bowling Green, but only one ended up counting towards his four years of eligibility. He took a regular redshirt year in 2017, then after appearing in the first four games in 2018 he told AZ Desert Swarm he suffered an injury that qualified him for a medical redshirt.
He played in 16 games with 15 starts from 2019-20, but the COVID-shortened 2020 season didn’t count toward any college football player’s eligibility.
For his career, Roberts has played in 41 games with 33 starts, recording 224 tackles.
Despite Roberts’ return, Arizona is still likely to pursue linebackers in the NCAA transfer portal to ensure it has depth at a critical position. Roberts and freshman Jacob Manu played a combined 1,351 snaps of 1,768 defensive snaps, with Kolbe Cage (322) and Ammon Allen (24) the only other linebackers getting on the field.
The Wildcats’ 2023 recruiting class includes commitments from two linebackers and they’re also hoping to land 4-star LB Leviticus Su’a, who took an official visit to Arizona in June and who was teammates with UA freshman defensive end Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei.
Be the first!
Related News
- Getting to know UC Davis transfer defensive lineman Chubba Ma’ae Dec 26
- Arizona QB Jayden de Laura to enter NCAA transfer portal, remain with team through Alamo Bowl Dec 25
- Getting to know 3-star OL signee Justin Hylkema Dec 25
- Getting to know 3-star CB signee Rahim Wright Dec 24
- Getting to know 3-star LB signee Stacy Bey Dec 24
- Getting to know 4-star RB signee Jordan Washington Dec 24
- Getting to know 4-star QB signee Demond Williams Jr. Dec 23
- Arizona football notebook: Wildcats considering 3 options to replace Jordan Morgan at left tackle; running back room should be back to full strength. Dec 21
- What Jedd Fisch and Matt Doherty said at Arizona's Early Signing Day press conference Dec 20
- Early Signing Profile: 4-star QB Demond Williams Jr. Dec 20
- Early Signing Profile: 3-star S Turran Williams Dec 20
- Early Signing Profile: 4-star RB Jordan Washington Dec 20