Meet Jacque Roman, a current NFL prospect ready to elevate and take his game to new heights.  He didn't play for the big name D-1 schools such as Florida State, Oklahoma, Miami, Ohio State,  and Texas but at the end of the day it doesn't matter where you played as long as you have the ability to get the job done. When its all said and done, the numbers don't lie. Jacque Roman's resume as a middle linebacker at Appalachian State is impressive and that could be an understatement. We have the 3X All-American, Three National championships and the gift of leadership that helped the The Appalachian State Mountaineers reach the pinnacle of collegiate football displays. All of those accomplishments show Jacque Roman deserves his shot in the NFL. Aside from this, we can't forget the huge upset when the Mountaineers defeated the fifth ranked University of  Michigan back in 2007. This was one of the most remarkable games in Roman's collegiate career.

Doing my research on you, this is what one website said in regards to your talent as a football player, "Roman is a leader and plays with a high motor, he's a player with straight line speed, overall he's a assignment player that plays pretty good assignment football." As a current NFL prospect how does that make you feel?

It makes me feel good. I'm an all around football player that has a motor for the game. Off the field, I'm another person but on the field I bring the intensity. I'm a play maker so it makes me feel real good.

You played your collegiate years at Appalachian State as a starting linebacker,  in which your resume does include three national titles. What was it about the program that helped you groom as a solid and aggressive player all around?

Coming to the program was great. In the past, the school won a couple conference titles but never won the championship. We came in with some pretty good players out of my class and there were some already  there when I came in. The program was stable and players like me along with others made a great impact on the team. My freshman year, we won our first national championship in school history and it always been a great gift as each title happened around my birthday. Appalachian State has always been a solid program but once my class got there we took it to another level.

Being such an anchor on that defense which earned you awards such as 3x All-American at linebackerand the three championships, when did the coaching staff realize that Jacque Roman was a stud?

I think they realized it my freshman year, well actually coming out of high school. I was relentless and wouldn't back down for no one. I couldn't wait to get there and showcase my talent. They were also comparing me to a recent All-American linebacker that played there by the name of Dexter Coakley, a former player for the Dallas Cowboys. I had a high motor, I flew to the ball and they couldn't keep me off the field. The attitude that I brought to the game everyday showed the coaches that I was ready to play. What motivated me was my whole love for football. My dad kept pushing to stay motivated. Appalachian State made me feel like the school was my home and that's how I ended going there.

How would you describe the advantages and disadvantages as a football recruit that played for a smaller school?

It can be a advantage and disadvantage at times. As a big time recruit, they expect a lot out of you and want to see your skills on the field. With me being a middle linebacker, it was good for me to come to Appalachian State with my skills to anchor that defense. The bigger schools have a lot of politics when it comes to the big time athletes there. A linebacker at a Division one school who has my stats and all the other accomplishments that I have, will get more attention than a linebacker like me at Appalachian State. At the same time you can't hide numbers and that's what shows when it comes to a linebacker like me. Over 400 career tackles, third all time in school history, and you can compare my numbers to any top linebacker that was drafted and I don't think it'll be will close. Coming in my freshman I knew in order to live my dream I had to put up stats.

Well Jay-Z did say "Men lie, women lie, numbers don't"!

Yeah (Laughs) exactly, numbers don't lie!

Comparing your numbers to top linebackers that were drafted, how it feels to look back and say you belong at the top with the numbers to prove it?

It makes me feel real good because every defensive player knows each tackle is a hard fought tackle. For my stats to be up there with the elite gives me a good feeling. Its a great reward for me and the program is a great accomplishment. It represents me and my family as well, because we all know what it took for me to get there.

For the so-called "experts" out here let's focus on your talents as a linebacker. Let them know what Jacque Roman brings to the table?

I'm definitely a hard-hitter and you can ask any running back that I faced, I will hit you and you'll feel it. I'm all about making contact and I'm a sideline to sideline pursuer. If you watch film on me you'll see me in pursuit going for the tackle. If there is one person after the ball it will be me. At this point in my career I easily recognize formations and know what plays will be ran off the formations so, its a natural instinct with me to go for the ball. I have good lateral movement and drop back well in coverage. I'm an all-around linebacker and some can't say that. You can label some linebackers run stopper or pass coverage but for the most part you can't label them as both.

If you were to compare yourself to any NFL linebacker past or present, who does Jacque Roman mirrors?

I would say Ray Lewis, who I get compared to a lot. His leadership and instinct to go for the ball, big time players step up in big time games and that's what I feel we have in Ray Lewis. When there is a play to make and the game is on the line Ray comes through to make it. I'm the captain of the team and me being a middle linebacker at Appalachian State I was aware of everything, telling the secondary to drop back deep and keeping everyone on their A-game. Just having the smartness of what plays will be ran, I keep the guys on my defense alert of what play was going to come their way.

Knowing the great abilities and attributes you carry as a player, how did it feel to not get invited to the NFL combine this year. Did it bother you at times knowing your talent deserves a shot?

It was just motivation for me. I knew going into my senior year that scouts look for those big time linebackers and head to those big time schools first. It's guys like me who are the diamond in the rough and I knew not to get my hopes about the NFL combine. People I spoke with that played in the NFL that told me the combine is just one step and not everything. I just took that as motivation to work harder and when I get my shot I'll show it on the field.

Well look at it like this, you have players that go undrafted that become stars in the NFL and end up better than players who were top picks in the draft!

Exactly! That's the way I look at it and in my situation, I know I can prove a point along with the other players that experience the same.


In the next few months, how does Jacque Roman wants to define his future?

In the next couple of months I'll like to be on a NFL team. I want to show and prove that I can play in the NFL. My pops always told me your nothing until your name is in ink so, I want my name in ink.