Exclusive with Maulers Defensive Lineman Boogie Roberts

First, can you tell me how you got involved in the USFL draft?

John Peterson – the Director of Football Operations for the USFL reached out. First they sent out forms to about 3,000-to-4,000 players – just getting information on us. Where we played, height, weight, stuff like that.

From those they decided which guys to watch film on to see I guess if they met certain criteria. Then they reached out to me with a contract. I guessed they saw tape of me in the XFL and with the Rams so I didn’t need to work out for them.

Were you surprised to be drafted by the Maulers? 

I wasn’t really, no. A few teams reached out to me before the draft – I thought I might go to Birmingham, New Orleans, or New Jersey too. A lot of teams talk to you before the draft and say they will take you if you’re there but you never know if they’re blowing smoke.

Speak to them yet? Any sense of the defense? With all the edge rushers they took it looks like a 3-4 maybe?

I just talked shortly with the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. It’ll definitely be an attacking defense and they’ll run with our skillsets. They did bring in a lot of edge guys you’re right, so I’m assuming a 3-4. Maybe with some 4-3 packages thrown in.

Any preference on where you’d play on the line? Nose?

If it’s a 3-4 I can play the nose yeah. I played that before in college – I’ve played the zero technique. I also played the one, two, and three and four-I. I think with the limited number of players the league will really need versatile guys.

I like the three technique or two-I – that way I can get one-on-one matchups. But I’ll do whatever they ask me and whatever it takes to help them win. If they want me to play the zero technique that’s where I’ll play.

Do you know lots of guys on the roster?

I know a lot of guys yeah! They’re jokingly calling the team the San Jose State Maulers because we have four guys on the Maulers. It’s like a big reunion! I also some of the guys from California like Ajene Harris, DelVon Hardaway and Nico Falah.

Ever been to Pittsburgh?

I’ve never been no. But I know they are die-hard, hard-core football fans. They love their football and we’ll go make them proud!

What about your college experiences helped shape the player you are now?

As funny as it sounds, we didn’t win a lot in college, even though I did well individually. Losing helped me to build character. You need to work hard despite losing – you want to show teams you are playing hard every down. I was a team captain in college and I worked hard during games to uplift guys and to tell them not to look at the scoreboard. To keep playing hard.

I think that experience helped me a lot to play fierce and relentless. I made a lot of plays even from the zero technique. You’d think I played in a  4-3 because I was explosive enough to make plays in the backfield even from the zero technique.

Anyone help mentor you over your time in the NFL camps? How did that experience help you?

Oh yeah. Aaron Donald is my guy. The talks we had – just being able to pick his brain was huge. He’d come out early with me in drills and work with me on the small things that I could take to the next level.

Anything specific he showed you?

Certain stances and how to read offensive linemen and down and distance situations. What he does you can’t take and add to your moves – no one can take his moves and the things he can do and just add it to your game. It was more about picking his brain. No one can take what he does and just add those to their moves.

What does success look like for you in the USFL?

Staying healthy and finishing the season with double-digit sacks by the end of the year. I went to lead the league in sacks and use that as a stepping stone.

A stepping stone to the NFL?

I’m thankful to the USFL for this opportunity – without that there’s no foot in the door for anything else. We all have dreams though for the NFL – that’s the highest level of football. Even the coaches have those dreams. So of course if I’m being honest the NFL is a goal but right now my focus is on the USFL.

What do you think slowed down that ability to get back to an NFL camp?

I feel like I was going to get another shot at the NFL. In the XFL I had gained a lot of momentum – my last game alone I had four tackles for losses and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. But then Covid hit. I was ready to go but of course everything was shut down and people lose their lives. It was all very unfortunate.

You seem like you have a big, fun personality. What should fans know about you outside of football? 

I’m a huge personality guy. Once things get rolling I think fans will see me as a social media darling! I’m always interacting with fans. I’m a fun-loving guy and everyone loves the name Boogie! I think everyone will see me on social media because of that and because of my play!

Outside of that I want to become a broadcaster and I’m in grad school now at San Jose State’s School for Sports Journalism.

Just let the fans know we want to make the city proud. We’re really looking forward to being a trophy back to Pittsburgh!