Sophomore Safety Leroy Roker Came Into Columbus With “Chip On My Shoulder”

On a roster that includes a plethora of four and five-star players, Leroy Roker may be overlooked. The sophomore safety was only the No. 841-ranked player nationally out of the 2024 class, but has done everything right since becoming a Buckeye.

Despite being one of the lowest-ranked Buckeyes in his recruiting class, Roker was one of the first in his class to have his black stripe removed and become an official member of the team.

He said he’s used his status as a three-star prospect as motivation at the collegiate level.

“Coming in with a bunch of four or five stars, highly recruited (guys), it did put a chip on my shoulder, but I knew I would be able to compete with them,” Roker said.

Roker knew he was cut out for Columbus right before the removal of his black stripe. The 6-0, 197-pound safety recalls making an impact during his first spring in Columbus.

“Making plays during spring ball, I was able to get my black stripe off,” Roker said. “I truly felt like I could play.”

Roker didn’t earn much playing time in his true freshman season, but found a role for himself as a special-teamer last year. Playing in all 14 games, Roker made nine total tackles. 

The Fort Myers, Fla.-native said he gained confidence from playing on the special teams unit, and the coaching staff must have taken notice of that because he started to get on the field on defense down the stretch of the season as well.

Roker said he has earned reps at all three safety spots so far in the offseason, where he will undoubtedly battle with others, including former Florida State safety Earl Little Jr., former Duke safety Terry Moore and returning starter Jaylen McClain for playing time.

Roker said he prides himself on his range, and his ability to come down hill and make plays, but one area of his game he’s tried to improve upon over the offseason is as a communicator.

Perhaps no collegiate safety was a better communicator than former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs last year, and Roker said he learned plenty from him.

“Caleb’s a very smart player,” Roker said. “Being able to learn from him was just very inspirational.”

Roker may not be the most-talented or most experienced Ohio State defender, but safeties coach Matt Guerrieri believes he has all the tools he needs to eventually be an elite safety.

“I love Leroy,” Guerrieri said. “Leroy is a guy who has developed tremendously over the last couple of years. He has all the skills to be a very good safety. He’s an awesome person. The sky is the limit for him. You’ve seen him in spurts, but he’s a guy who has grown tremendously, and we’ve seen it every step of the way. I’m really excited for Leroy’s future. I’m proud of him and his development, and it’s going to be a fun ride.”