April 26, 2025 • 7 mins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts spoke to the media during his introductory press conference after being selected 157th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. DL Roberts discussed how much this moment means to him, his ability to impact the game from anywhere on the line, and his pride in representing Florida while learning from a veteran leader like LB Lavonte David.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Blasha, how you're feeling right now? What was that moment like?
What was that call like for you?
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Man? It was great.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
It's just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Man,
it was it was so fun. I mean it was
just a great thing. I mean I didn't really know
what to expect, so getting a call from you guys
just really just it made my day.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Man, It made my year. Man, Thank you got so much.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
You guys just made a little kid, a kid who
had this dream from a long time just come to man.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
In your conversations with Tampa, I mean, you're a big guy,
around two hundred and eighty five pounds.
Speaker 4 (00:29):
Where do they project you at?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Man, this is the crazy thing.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I've honestly really didn't talk to them as much as
I did to other teams, so I really don't know
the plan yet. But I mean anywhere they put me,
man on the outside inside, I mean, I'm a football player,
so I'll be ready.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Hush. It's a Miami guy.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
What does it mean to know you're gonna be lining
up and playing with Lebonte David's rip?
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Man, It's good man, It's just it's good to know
that you know, I have a veteran like that, you
know behind me, we'll be able to, you know, orchestrate
the defense. And then, like you said, being a Miami guy, Man,
I have a quick drive up to Tampa, man, and
I'll be home, so I'll be good.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Man.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I can't wait. I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You had one hundred and thirty one pressures over the
last two seasons. Just where does that come from? How
astounded were you to know that that was the numbers
that you put up over the last two years, And
how does that translate to the NFL?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Your thing?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Man, I'm just a versatile guy.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
I honestly think I'm the best defensive lineman when it
comes to stopping the run and rushing the passes.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
You know, film doesn't line. Man.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I could set the edge from the outside, I could
set the edge on the inside that three technique, and
I could pass rush from anywhere, whether that's a zero, one, three, two,
y five or nine. So I mean, just being able
to move around as much as I did at SMU.
That's why my pressure count was up there. SAT count
was pretty high as well. So I mean, I feel
like everything that I do well will translate as well.
(01:52):
But obviously there's a lot of my game that I
want to get better.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
What part of that if you know you wanted to
work on what way?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Just the little things, you know, just being real strategical,
real technical with the footwark with the get off consistently
with like just being technical off myself. You know, I'm
my biggest critic, so I can honestly go down the
list and just honestly tell you things about myself.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
But obviously I'm a I'm a really good player.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
But you know, just getting into a league, man, I
gotta every day, I gotta try to work to get better.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Is there is there a D lineman in the league
you like to watch? You like to pattern yourself out
in your strengths, your your body type.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Man, I like to watch a lot of bigger guys
who kind of are versatile guys and guys like a
Cam Jordan, Chris Jones, guys like the Marcus Lawrence, guys
who are kind of who fit my frame, who kind
of just who are very versatile. Because like I said,
I see myself as a versatile guy who can move
up and down the line, even guys like Braided Fist,
So I mean there's so many guys who are so versatile,
like on the D line, and that's why I see
myself fitting in for sure.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I said me had a strong wrung in college football
last year, you know what I mean, the college fall playoffs.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
But what did that program of the coaches there do
for you to help you get ready for the NFL?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Man, that coach the staff did everything from me as
far as just raising me up on the field, off
the field to be a young man, you know, be
the man I am today. Man, They honestly showed real love,
genuine love, and that's why I asked me had so
much success and they'll continue to have so much success.
It's not about just what are you doing for me?
I mean, obviously that matters in the game of football.
It's all about wins and losses, but it's also you know,
(03:18):
they care for every single person that's in the building,
and I think that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
So that was that SMU just a better fit for you?
Or were you in a log jab non in Miami?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Could you repeat that last part again? I'm sorry? Were
you in a.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Log gym down in Miami? Guys ahead on the depth chart.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Somewhat I guess, but SMU, honestly, when I hit the portal,
it was just more of a scheme fit you know,
I had offered from ACC Schools, Big twelve, whatever the
case may be. I just it was more of how
can I fit in, and then how does the scheme
fit me?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
You know, So it was just more of SMU.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
When I talked to them and they know, you know
how versatile I was, and they told me that I'll
be able to play the five, I'll be able to
rush from a three technique, I'll be able to rush
from a non technique. Like it was, it was a
no brainer for me to honestly go there.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
We're specifically in South Florida, Miami.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Did you grow up down in the Ghouls area.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
It's like it's way down south near Homestead area if
you're familiar with Florida, South Florida, So it's like way
down south in Miami.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
You got that invitations the East Shrine, West East West
Rind Bowl Game and you're really balled out there. What
was that like, haning getting to experience that go against
some of the top competition in the nation.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yea, sir, it was great, man.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
You know, anytime you're in a competitive setting like that,
felt like that always brings out the best in players.
So I mean that's kind of how it felt, you know,
just going out there, didn't really feel like I have
anything to prove, just wanted to show that, Okay, I
guess the best guys. It's not like my play's gonna
drop or anything like that. I just want to show,
you know, like I'm a ball player. Everybody's not perfect.
Sometimes you're gonna lose one on one rep since and
all and all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
You just got to be ready for the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
So honestly, being in that moment, it was just a
great environment going against new guys every day, and then
even in the game, going against great guys. So I
mean East West Saan, thank you, Thank you to them,
and then thank you to the Bucks as well of course.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
And then the Combine you got that invitation as well.
What was that like for you, man?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I was great.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I was one of the last wave Gouds to get
the Combine invice, so getting that right after the East
West SRON, it was just a great week for me.
I remember me and my agents on the phones. It's
going crazy about that. So combine East West s Lirian.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Man. This whole process has been great, nothing short of
a blessing. Man. I'm just I'm just happy to be here, man,
blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Do you just some volunteer work down there as well?
Do you want to talk about that, bring some light
to that as well, sir?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So my mom, she has a nonprofit for domestic violence victims,
you know, so she's been doing that for I want
to say plus over ten years now, and ever since.
I remember me and my brothers and sisters packing up purses,
writing little nice notes to victims, sending it.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
To the shelters.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Where the women are, and then you know, we just
hand them out and then you know, you just write
a note on the person and it has a lot
of totter t's in there, stuff that they may need,
because when you go to a shelter, there's women who
are on the run, you know, from their abuser, so
they don't really have much. Their li is just on
the run and don't really have much with them besides
the closes in the back of the shoes on their feet.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So we've been.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Doing that forever, and then now I'm in a better
position to help my mom kind of grow that, you know,
So whatever that may be, whether that's get her own
shelter so she can help people out more, or get
people into housing, and just getting that next step once
you're into shelter, and just getting that next step into
helping themselves, because you know, that's not a like, that's
not an easy thing, you know, being a victim of abuse.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Man, it's tough. It's tough.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
If you if you had a message for Buck Spans
what you bring to the table, what you're bringing to Tampa,
We'll just say to them right now.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Man, you guys are get a great player man on
the field, off the field. I'm a great guy. I'm
a Florida guy. So you know, I'll basically be home.
But man, as far as football goes, I don't think
it's anybody at him and I really can't wait to
just come in, you know, have that tip of my shoulders,
just really show people like what I can really do.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Man, I'm so grateful to the Bucks, so grateful.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Little prospects of playing with Vidavea Cli cant Si lookan
all you know, do you know what do you know
about those guys. Is that kind of mouth and water
and you know veas double team every time.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, man, I honestly played versus Elijah. I think my
junior year in high school we beat him, though, you know,
we blew them out first week. Muh. But he had
a great game. I think he had a stip sack
if I remember, or he scooped and scored either or
he probably did both. But he had a great game.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Man. I remember seeing him across the sideline. He was
a great player.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
So being able to line up next to those guys, man,
just knowing that they're gonna draw so much attention kind
of free me up on on one on ones.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Man.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
It's gonna be great, man, It's gonna be really good, man,
really good.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Congratulations again, thanks welcome.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
To so much. Your offense is very Florida.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
It's nice.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Appreciate
Blasha, how you're feeling right now? What was that moment like?
What was that call like for you?
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Man? It was great.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
It's just like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Man,
it was it was so fun. I mean it was
just a great thing. I mean I didn't really know
what to expect, so getting a call from you guys
just really just it made my day.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Man, It made my year. Man, Thank you got so much.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
You guys just made a little kid, a kid who
had this dream from a long time just come to man.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
In your conversations with Tampa, I mean, you're a big guy,
around two hundred and eighty five pounds.
Speaker 4 (00:29):
Where do they project you at?
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Man, this is the crazy thing.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I've honestly really didn't talk to them as much as
I did to other teams, so I really don't know
the plan yet. But I mean anywhere they put me,
man on the outside inside, I mean, I'm a football player,
so I'll be ready.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Hush. It's a Miami guy.
Speaker 4 (00:49):
What does it mean to know you're gonna be lining
up and playing with Lebonte David's rip?
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Man, It's good man, It's just it's good to know
that you know, I have a veteran like that, you
know behind me, we'll be able to, you know, orchestrate
the defense. And then, like you said, being a Miami guy, Man,
I have a quick drive up to Tampa, man, and
I'll be home, so I'll be good.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Man.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I can't wait. I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You had one hundred and thirty one pressures over the
last two seasons. Just where does that come from? How
astounded were you to know that that was the numbers
that you put up over the last two years, And
how does that translate to the NFL?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Your thing?
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Man, I'm just a versatile guy.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
I honestly think I'm the best defensive lineman when it
comes to stopping the run and rushing the passes.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
You know, film doesn't line. Man.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
I could set the edge from the outside, I could
set the edge on the inside that three technique, and
I could pass rush from anywhere, whether that's a zero, one, three, two,
y five or nine. So I mean, just being able
to move around as much as I did at SMU.
That's why my pressure count was up there. SAT count
was pretty high as well. So I mean, I feel
like everything that I do well will translate as well.
(01:52):
But obviously there's a lot of my game that I
want to get better.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (01:57):
What part of that if you know you wanted to
work on what way?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Just the little things, you know, just being real strategical,
real technical with the footwark with the get off consistently
with like just being technical off myself. You know, I'm
my biggest critic, so I can honestly go down the
list and just honestly tell you things about myself.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
But obviously I'm a I'm a really good player.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
But you know, just getting into a league, man, I
gotta every day, I gotta try to work to get better.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
Is there is there a D lineman in the league
you like to watch? You like to pattern yourself out
in your strengths, your your body type.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Man, I like to watch a lot of bigger guys
who kind of are versatile guys and guys like a
Cam Jordan, Chris Jones, guys like the Marcus Lawrence, guys
who are kind of who fit my frame, who kind
of just who are very versatile. Because like I said,
I see myself as a versatile guy who can move
up and down the line, even guys like Braided Fist,
So I mean there's so many guys who are so versatile,
like on the D line, and that's why I see
myself fitting in for sure.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
I said me had a strong wrung in college football
last year, you know what I mean, the college fall playoffs.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
But what did that program of the coaches there do
for you to help you get ready for the NFL?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Man, that coach the staff did everything from me as
far as just raising me up on the field, off
the field to be a young man, you know, be
the man I am today. Man, They honestly showed real love,
genuine love, and that's why I asked me had so
much success and they'll continue to have so much success.
It's not about just what are you doing for me?
I mean, obviously that matters in the game of football.
It's all about wins and losses, but it's also you know,
(03:18):
they care for every single person that's in the building,
and I think that's the biggest thing.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
So that was that SMU just a better fit for you?
Or were you in a log jab non in Miami?
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Could you repeat that last part again? I'm sorry? Were
you in a.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Log gym down in Miami? Guys ahead on the depth chart.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Somewhat I guess, but SMU, honestly, when I hit the portal,
it was just more of a scheme fit you know,
I had offered from ACC Schools, Big twelve, whatever the
case may be. I just it was more of how
can I fit in, and then how does the scheme
fit me?
Speaker 2 (03:49):
You know, So it was just more of SMU.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (03:52):
When I talked to them and they know, you know
how versatile I was, and they told me that I'll
be able to play the five, I'll be able to
rush from a three technique, I'll be able to rush
from a non technique. Like it was, it was a
no brainer for me to honestly go there.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
For sure.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
We're specifically in South Florida, Miami.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Did you grow up down in the Ghouls area.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
It's like it's way down south near Homestead area if
you're familiar with Florida, South Florida, So it's like way
down south in Miami.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
You got that invitations the East Shrine, West East West
Rind Bowl Game and you're really balled out there. What
was that like, haning getting to experience that go against
some of the top competition in the nation.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Yea, sir, it was great, man.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
You know, anytime you're in a competitive setting like that,
felt like that always brings out the best in players.
So I mean that's kind of how it felt, you know,
just going out there, didn't really feel like I have
anything to prove, just wanted to show that, Okay, I
guess the best guys. It's not like my play's gonna
drop or anything like that. I just want to show,
you know, like I'm a ball player. Everybody's not perfect.
Sometimes you're gonna lose one on one rep since and
all and all that stuff.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
You just got to be ready for the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
So honestly, being in that moment, it was just a
great environment going against new guys every day, and then
even in the game, going against great guys. So I
mean East West Saan, thank you, Thank you to them,
and then thank you to the Bucks as well of course.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
And then the Combine you got that invitation as well.
What was that like for you, man?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I was great.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I was one of the last wave Gouds to get
the Combine invice, so getting that right after the East
West SRON, it was just a great week for me.
I remember me and my agents on the phones. It's
going crazy about that. So combine East West s Lirian.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Man. This whole process has been great, nothing short of
a blessing. Man. I'm just I'm just happy to be here, man,
blessed to be here.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Do you just some volunteer work down there as well?
Do you want to talk about that, bring some light
to that as well, sir?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Of course.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
So my mom, she has a nonprofit for domestic violence victims,
you know, so she's been doing that for I want
to say plus over ten years now, and ever since.
I remember me and my brothers and sisters packing up purses,
writing little nice notes to victims, sending it.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
To the shelters.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
Where the women are, and then you know, we just
hand them out and then you know, you just write
a note on the person and it has a lot
of totter t's in there, stuff that they may need,
because when you go to a shelter, there's women who
are on the run, you know, from their abuser, so
they don't really have much. Their li is just on
the run and don't really have much with them besides
the closes in the back of the shoes on their feet.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So we've been.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Doing that forever, and then now I'm in a better
position to help my mom kind of grow that, you know,
So whatever that may be, whether that's get her own
shelter so she can help people out more, or get
people into housing, and just getting that next step once
you're into shelter, and just getting that next step into
helping themselves, because you know, that's not a like, that's
not an easy thing, you know, being a victim of abuse.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
Man, it's tough. It's tough.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
That's amazing.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
If you if you had a message for Buck Spans
what you bring to the table, what you're bringing to Tampa,
We'll just say to them right now.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
Man, you guys are get a great player man on
the field, off the field. I'm a great guy. I'm
a Florida guy. So you know, I'll basically be home.
But man, as far as football goes, I don't think
it's anybody at him and I really can't wait to
just come in, you know, have that tip of my shoulders,
just really show people like what I can really do.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
Man, I'm so grateful to the Bucks, so grateful.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Little prospects of playing with Vidavea Cli cant Si lookan
all you know, do you know what do you know
about those guys. Is that kind of mouth and water
and you know veas double team every time.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Yeah, man, I honestly played versus Elijah. I think my
junior year in high school we beat him, though, you know,
we blew them out first week. Muh. But he had
a great game. I think he had a stip sack
if I remember, or he scooped and scored either or
he probably did both. But he had a great game.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Man. I remember seeing him across the sideline. He was
a great player.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
So being able to line up next to those guys, man,
just knowing that they're gonna draw so much attention kind
of free me up on on one on ones.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Man.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
It's gonna be great, man, It's gonna be really good, man,
really good.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
Congratulations again, thanks welcome.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
To so much. Your offense is very Florida.
Speaker 4 (07:54):
It's nice.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
Appreciate
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