Every day from now till the beginning of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State soccer gamers that you ought to be watching this season. Take a look at all of our “Participant to Watch” articles to prepare for the season opener towards Ball State.
I will mow your garden, clear the leaves out your drain
I will mend your roof to maintain out the rain
I will take the work that God gives
I am a jack of all trades, honey, we’ll be all proper
— Bruce Springsteen, “Jack of All Trades”
Commercial
Few freshmen see the sphere in as many huge moments in so many alternative methods as tight finish Nate Roberts did in 2025.
Whether or not he was referred to as on to dam, run a go route, line up at fullback to punch a gap within the defensive position, and even to hold the ball in brief yardage out of that formation, Roberts was utilized in a wide range of methods a 12 months in the past. He was actually the proverbial jack of all trades.
That is an excellent signal for the Washington, Oklahoma native. If the coaches acknowledge the flexibility of a participant of their first season, his position will probably increase as he positive factors extra expertise and spends extra time within the group’s power and conditioning program.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound former four-star prospect was the No. 9 tight finish within the 2025 class in keeping with 247Sports after a prep profession that noticed Roberts catch 113 passes over his sophomore by senior seasons for two,369 yards, surpassing 700 receiving yards every of these three seasons and topping 800 yards in his ultimate two years. Roberts scored 31 touchdowns throughout that span.
Commercial
Whereas at Washington, Roberts was a two-sport star, additionally enjoying baseball, so he is acquired a historical past with being a jack of all trades.
Roberts performed in 13 video games as a freshman in 2025, getting on the sphere for 265 snaps, primarily at tight finish, but additionally as a member of the OSU particular groups items. He confirmed a capability to line up just about wherever within the formation and contribute whereas studying the faculty sport.
It did not take lengthy for him to start out lining up within the backfield on the purpose line or in short-yardage conditions, so he was clearly exhibiting the teaching employees a capability to dam in such conditions in apply. As soon as he began lining up as a fullback, it was solely a matter of time earlier than he carried the ball — a mandatory step in conserving defenses trustworthy when the Buckeyes lined up in that package deal.
Over the course of his first collegiate season, Roberts caught 4 passes for 30 yards, ran the ball twice for one yard, and recorded a deal with. His finest sport got here towards UCLA, when he caught two passes for a season-high 24 yards.
Commercial
Greater issues are anticipated from Roberts in 2026. He is able to lining up extensive, as a standard in-line tight finish, at H-back, and, in fact, within the backfield. He can go in movement pre-snap and discover pockets of house towards zone defenses or cut up defenders down the seam.
New OSU Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will use lots of multiple-tight-end formations, that means Roberts will get to maneuver round a bit and use his blocking expertise, whereas additionally creating as a go catcher — a talent that noticed him common greater than 20 yards per reception as a highschool star.
Our Cole VanWiechen was right in scripting this spring that Roberts might grow to be one of many offense’s most underrated gamers and that he might emerge because the group’s high tight finish in a crowded place group.
The flexibility he brings and the belief the coaches have proven in him make Roberts a participant to observe heading into the 2026 season.
