PROSPECT SUMMARY

After three seasons at Temple that culminated with him earning AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019, Quincy Roche leveled up and transferred to Miami for the 2020 season. While his statistical output in 2020 in the ACC doesn’t quite measure up with the monster production he had at Temple in 2019, Roche did prove that he is still a dynamic defensive playmaker against top competition. Roche is a true technician for the position that is polished with his hands, has great vision, and is a quick processor. While he is lean and has modest length, he overcomes any physical deficiencies with technique, flexibility, athleticism, and above-average functional strength for an EDGE of his size. If Roche truly measures in the 240-pound range, he will likely be viewed as a 3-4 outside linebacker, which is fine given his experience in a standup position and his performance in college. Roche has an expansive pass-rushing skill set and is a good run defender, making him a balanced defender that can contribute on every down. In the right scheme, Roche has the ability to develop into a productive starter that knows how to attack the pocket.

Ideal Role: Rush linebacker.

Scheme Fit: 3-4 outside linebacker.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Tulane (2019), Maryland (2019), South Florida (2019), Pittsburgh (2020), Clemson (2020), NC State (2020), Florida State (2020)

Best Game Studied: Tulane (2019)

Worst Game Studied: NC State (2020)

First-Step Explosiveness: Roche is quick and fluid when releasing out of his stance. He knows how to use his footwork to draw offensive tackles out of their set and grease rush angles. His initial quickness and speed up the arc puts considerable stress on offensive tackles to get to their landmarks and keep pace.

Flexibility: Roche is fluid and fully capable of cornering the outside hip of offensive tackles. He does well to reduce his surface area and corner with crazy low angles to the ground. He’s loose, agile, and bendy.

Hand Counters: Roche has a wide range of swipes and counters which complement his footwork and ability to reduce his surface area to make it difficult for blockers to get their hands on him. Roche has a lethal inside club/swim combo while his club/rip, two-hand swipe, and cross/chop does well to work counters off his stab. His hands are activated with terrific timing, placement, and urgency.

Length: Roche has sufficient length, which he maximizes with terrific hand timing and placement. Despite being a lean EDGE rusher, Roche has very few issues on tape keeping his pads clear and maintaining outside leverage. He won’t be confused as having vines for arms but he uses the length he does have effectively.

Hand Power: Roche has sufficient pop in his hands which are activated with terrific timing and placement to maximize his strikes. I love how he uses a one-arm stab and then strings counters together off of it. He may be lean with modest length, but his hand power and use of them helps mitigate concerns.

Run Defending: Roche’s hand usage, length, and functional strength make him a good run defender. He processes blocking schemes quickly, correctly, and knows how to respond and maintain his run fit. For a leaner EDGE, he doesn’t easily get worked out of his gap and he is fully capable of setting a firm edge and squeezing gaps. Roche does well to take on pullers with great technique and understands when they are coming.

Effort: Roche mostly plays with great energy, juice, and enthusiasm. With that said, his pursuit effort can disappoint and there are times he could get involved with a finish, but a leisurely jog to the football prohibits those opportunities. When things are in his range, he battles.

Football IQ: When watching Roche’s tape, it’s easy to understand that he’s a total technician at the position. He’s a smart processor against the run, features an expansive pass rush repertoire, and has terrific vision to read the set of the offensive tackle. He knows how to attack the pocket.

Lateral Mobility: Roche has no issues flowing to the sideline or working down the line of scrimmage in backside pursuit. He is very good at slow playing and stringing out run plays. He’s loose and agile with good mobility in all directions.

Versatility: Roche is a balanced defender that can make plays as a run defender or pass rusher. He has plenty of experience both with his hand in the dirt and from a standup position. He’s lean for a 4-3 defensive end role in the NFL, but more than held his own in those instances in college.

Prospect Comparison: Shaquil Barrett (2014 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos)