By Eric Edholm
Feb. 23, 2005

This is the 12th in a series of question-and-answer features profiling the top prospects for the 2005 NFL draft.

Iowa DE Matt Roth

Roth, 22, now is preparing for the NFL draft, where he projects to be among the first couple of defensive ends off the board. His ferocious style and frenetic work ethic was on display at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. last month when he was one of the stars of the practice field. Though he’s not the biggest end, by NFL standards, at 6-3 and 265, Roth’s drive appears to outweigh any concerns scouts might have about his size. Roth took a few minutes to chat with PFW about moving to end from linebacker, being compared to a 5-8 safety, that huge tattoo and playing golf … on Draft Day.

PFW: A big reason you went to Iowa was because you could continue to play linebacker as you did in high school. Eventually the coaches put you in a three-point stance, and things have worked out pretty well. What did you think of the move at the time?

Roth: The move, at first, I didn’t like it. In high school, I pretty much had free reign to do anything, so I played linebacker … the coach pretty much told me, ‘If it was a pass, just blitz.’ So it was taking a while (at Iowa) to understand the different pass coverages, and I think they felt coming in I was going to be a big kid and that I could move really well and that they could see me as a down lineman. So it came on, and I was picking up the defense toward the end of (my freshman) season, learning my coverages, and I think they just saw me as a defensive end and (that I) could help out right away. I moved there, and going into my sophomore season I played about 40 percent of the defensive plays and led the Big Ten in sacks with 10.

PFW: What was your weight your freshman year compared to your sophomore year?

Roth: It was like 250 pounds (as a freshman) and as a sophomore I bulked up to about 255-260.

PFW: Any chance you might play standing up a little in the pros? How would you feel about that, especially now that more teams are using 3-4 defenses?

Roth: More than anything, I think I am just a football player. Do I think I could play outside linebacker? Yeah, I think I could jump in right away. I think I have learned a lot, defensive line-wise, about using my hands. I think I could fit in well at linebacker, rushing and doing all that stuff. I think I am pretty dang good at defensive end too.

PFW: You had one of the more impressive Senior Bowl performances, earning the praise of coaches and fellow players alike. Did you feel you had to go down to Mobile and accomplish something or were you fairly confident your stock was in a good place when you got down there?

Roth: I know that they were saying probably (that I was) first or second round, but I wanted to prove to them that I was first-round caliber. And hopefully I proved that to them, and hopefully I proved that I could play with the best of them and make plays.

PFW: What was the biggest thing you took out of the Senior Bowl?

Roth: I think coming together we had a real good squad. Here at Iowa we put the team first ahead of individuals, and I think we had a real good bonding for an all-star team, working together and putting all the honors and that stuff aside and played a good game.

PFW: Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz calls you “a defensive line version of (former Hawkeyes and currents Colts S) Bob Sanders.” What do you think he means most by that comment?

Roth: With Bob, I think he brings a whole different dimension and aspect to a defense. You can even hear coaches in Indianapolis saying it. He’s just a physical and relentless player who’s going to hit you every single play and make big plays. He plays the game fast and he plays the game tough. And I think that’s what he means by comparing me to Bob.

PFW: Do you think that the fact that Sanders also is undersized — 5-8 and 205, small for a safety — and you might be a lot closer to the prototypical end but still undersized by NFL standards, did that fact maybe factor into what Coach Ferentz said also?

Roth: I don’t think I have the size issue like Bob. If anything, maybe I am a centimeter or two away from the prototype like you said. But you mention Bob, and guys like me who played with Bob (know) he’s just tough. Played on broken legs and feet and other bones, and he was just tough. And that’s what Coach was referring to.

PFW: Do you feel better about your own potential and your own draft status now that guys like Colts DE Dwight Freeney have had breakout seasons in the NFL?

Roth: Oh yeah. He just led the league in sacks. It’s coming down to just recruiting football players. I mean that guy is a hell of a football player, and he proved it three years ago at the Senior Bowl. At this caliber of football when we are making plays against the guys who are the best in the country and guys who might even be starting in the NFL (as rookies), I think they are taking that into consideration.

PFW: Many people assumed Iowa would fall off this past season with all the players you lost. How gratifying was it to finish off a strong season on such a high note with a last-second victory?

Roth: I think at Iowa the past two or three years, people have thought we were a fluke — that we didn’t have the athletes that we think we have. I think that bowl game really put Iowa on the map. Finishing top 10 the past two years and winning bowl games, I think people are starting to take us seriously.

PFW: It’s kind of like the Patriots in the NFL. Everyone says they don’t have elite talent, that they are just very well coached. I think you might disagree after a few Super Bowls.

Roth: Oh yeah, like you said, they have a great team, but individually speaking, they have some great football players. Maybe not the best athletes, but great football players.

PFW: Now, you have a reputation as a talker. Before games? During games? After games? Where does it mostly come out?

Roth: I love just talking, joking around with teammates. I am just a high-energy guy. I am always running around, just joking. During the game, I just shut up. You waste energy talking. You have to preserve it all for the next play.

PFW: What’s the most important lesson about life in the NFL that Coach Ferentz taught you?

Roth: The coaches talk a lot about how a lot of players have great talent; to separate yourself, you have to be a student of the game. And I think Coach has done a great job of preparing us for that at Iowa, watching game film and breaking down opponents. You just get the mental edge.

PFW: Even though your sack total went down a little this season, you had to take a little pride in getting DT Jonathan Babineaux his 11 sacks. Has he thanked you for all the attention you got and he didn’t?

Roth: (laughs) Not yet! As a defensive unit, we are really close. There are a lot of good players. If I can collapse and break down the pocket or force (the quarterback) to run around, it’s just as good as getting sacks. (Scouts) watch the film; they see that. It’s fun to get everyone in the mix.

PFW: So you have the Combine this week. What are you expecting when you get there?

Roth: I have heard it’s pretty much a meat factory and that it’s long. Thank God I have had no injuries, so that thing will be a lot shorter for me. I am just looking forward to running, testing well — I am very confident.

PFW: Do you plan to do all the workouts?

Roth: Yeah, I am going to do everything. I got nothing to hide.

PFW: You just made a lot of GMs, coaches and scouts happy. They wish everyone worked out but the top guys rarely do.

Roth: It’s part of the deal. I think everyone should (work out) there.

PFW: Personal stuff. Last movie you saw in the theatre?

Roth: "Million-Dollar Baby."

PFW: What did you think?

Roth: I thought it was great. I love Clint Eastwood.

PFW: What kind of car do you drive?

Roth: 2001 Ford Expedition.

PFW: Tell me about the tattoo on the left arm.

Roth: Which one?

PFW: There’s more than one? The flame one — the one that’s halfway up your biceps!

Roth: (laughs) I got that two years ago.

PFW: That wasn’t your first tattoo then.

Roth: No, I got one on my ankle, same thing, and then I got some Chinese writing — my last name.

PFW: Best offensive tackle you have gone against.

Roth: (Khalif) Barnes from Washington.

PFW: Where are you going to be on Draft Day?

Roth: I might be on the golf course or I might be at home.

PFW: Give me a break. You are really going to play golf on Draft Day?

Roth: (laughs) Yeah! Why not? I am probably just going to hang out with my family, golfing with my brothers.

PFW: I would think, as an intense guy, that you’d be going nuts just sitting there watching the TV, waiting to hear your name?

Roth: I am just happy to get shoulder pads and a helmet and get after it.

PFW: I know you mentioned you had a first- or second-round grade heading into the Senior Bowl. What have you heard back from scouts and from your agent since then about where you might go? Do you think you are in the 15-20 range for sure now?

Roth: There’s speculation that I might be, but the best things that I have heard is that I helped myself (in Mobile). Now, I am just trying to keep helping my stock, do as much as I can. Hopefully after this week, I’ll know about where I stand.

PFW draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki's position-by-position evaluation of numerous top prospects in the print edition of Pro Football Weekly and PFW Online has been published — now he's hard at work finishing work for PFW's annual Draft Preview Guide. You can purchase back issues of PFW at PFWstore.com, either in the print format or the online PDF format. The current issue is sold at newsstands and bookstores throughout the U.S. and Canada. You can also subscribe to the print edition by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-FOOTBALL (1-800-366-8225). Our 2005 Draft Preview Guide will be on sale at PFWstore.com or by calling the above phone number; it will be published at the end of March.