Tag: defensive end malcolm roach

Former Longhorn named to NFL’s 2020 All-Combine defensive team

An underrated Texas defensive lineman was named to NFL’s 2020 All-Combine defensive team.

Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach may not receive as much draft hype as his teammates, but he certainly impressed scouts and executives at the 2020 NFL Combine.

Safety Brandon Jones and wide receivers Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay are expected to be the first three players selected from Texas. However, Roach is arguably the most underrated draft prospect and has a legitimate future in the National Football League.

Although he played multiple positions at Texas, Roach is expected to play defensive end at the next level. Without starting a single game in 2019, he still garnered an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine.

Roach’s numbers were fairly average in terms of all-around testing at the Combine, but he posted a top-15 time in the 40-yard dash.

It was his 10-yard split that stood out. It impressed Texas’ director of recruiting Bryan Carrington enough to compare his 1.68 split to a few of the NFL’s most high-profile names.

This could be the primary reason Roach was named to NFL’s 2020 All-Combine defensive team. Around the NFL reporter Nick Shook included Roach in the short list of 13 players.

Roach is among the six defensive lineman selected. As a senior at Texas, Roach had 40 tackles and three sacks. He was very vocal about his concerns regarding the defensive scheme not fitting to his strengths as a player. Former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando’s scheme focused on safeties and linebackers rather than defensive lineman.

He is widely considered to be an undrafted free agent or late-round selection, but Roach is prepared to showcase his abilities at the next level.

All it takes is one chance.

Texas’ Malcolm Roach blasts defensive scheme for lack of production

Former Texas defensive lineman Malcolm Roach believes the new 4-3 scheme under defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be much more successful.

Something continues to prevent Texas’ top 10 recruiting classes from producing on the field. Player development? Scheme? A mixture of both?

Head coach Tom Herman realized the Longhorns had one of the worst defensive units in college football last season, eventually hiring new defensive coordinator Chris Ash to switch to a 4-3 scheme.

Former defensive coordinator Todd Orlando ran a 3-3-5 base that many believed did not contribute to current players strengths. Orlando’s scheme focused on safeties and linebackers rather than defensive lineman.

Former defensive lineman Malcolm Roach didn’t start a single game in 2019, but his play was impressive enough to garner an invite to the 2020 NFL Combine.

Clarence Hill of Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently spoke to Roach, who believes the 4-3 scheme under Ash will benefit defensive lineman Joseph Ossai, Marquez Bimage and Taquon Graham. The Longhorns also have an incoming five-star defensive end arriving to campus this summer, Alfred Collins, who is eager to get to the quarterback.

Roach has confidence that the new defensive scheme will improve the unit as a whole.

“I think it’s a smart move. You have pass rushers out there, Taquon Graham, Marquez Bimage, Joe Ossai — guys that can get after the quarterback. You have to use those guys. That was the biggest thing that we got caught up in, not using our weapons to our full advantage. Now they brought in a new staff, giving those guys the opportunity to rush the passer and show what they have.”

He also feels Orlando’s scheme did not allow the defensive front to unleash their full potential.

“That style of play didn’t transfer to the NFL and the NFL didn’t understand what type of player this guy was. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. I just feel 3-4 didn’t let us showcase our abilities the way we wanted to. But we understood why we were running it. I feel the 4-3 will help those guys to show their talents and more people will come out of Texas.”

Although it’s too late for Roach to benefit under the new scheme at Texas, he’s clearly excited for his former teammates to finally be able to showcase their strengths.

Texas should significantly improve their sack production in 2020.