Steelers select Roche in the sixth round

May 01, 2021 at 06:03 PM

Teresa Varley

Steelers.com

The Steelers selected linebacker Quincy Roche in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 216th overall pick. Roche, who played defensive end primarily in college, said he has no problem making the transition to outside linebacker.

"I feel like I have displayed the ability to play in space on film," said Roche. "I have been asked to do a lot over my time at Temple and Miami. I have some improvement, I have some work to do, but I am 100% confident in my ability to play linebacker.

"My goal every time I step on the field is to be disruptive. Whatever the case may be. My goal when I step on the field every time is to just be disruptive."

Roche played one season at the University of Miami after transferring from Temple, where he possessed the 'Temple Tough' mindset.

"Temple Tough is a mentality, not just physically tough, but mentally tough," said Roche. "It's something you have to bring every day. It's something we are conditioned to be."

He started 10 games in 2020 for the Hurricanes, finishing the season with 45 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for a loss, ranking second on the Hurricanes and third in the ACC, and added 4.5 sacks. He was tied for the lead in the ACC with three forced fumbles and he had two fumble recoveries.

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler said he was surprised to see him there in the sixth round as they had him rated late third, early fourth, all the way into the fifth round.

"It's a dream come true," said Roche. "I appreciate the opportunity. It's a huge blessing to be drafted in any round. I expected to go higher in the draft. It was a long three days sitting on the couch. That is the story of my life. I wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school. I had to earn a starting role at Temple. I always had to prove myself and just work a little bit harder. It's nothing new to me."

Roche wasn't a Steelers fan leading into the draft, rather on the opposite side of a big rivalry as he grew up a Ravens fan living in Baltimore. It's all changed now.

"I know a lot about the Steelers," said Roche. "Growing up in Baltimore I was on the opposite side of the rivalry. I watch them every year. I have always watched this defense. It's right up my alley, hard-nosed rugged football. I am excited to be here.

"I am in a house full of Ravens fans. I told them today I don't even want to see the color purple. I have someone dropping off Terrible Towels to me tonight."

Quincy Roche
Linebacker
Miami, Fla.
6-3, 245
Randallstown, Maryland
New Town High School
6th Round - 216th Overall

2020 SEASON
Delivered standout season in lone year with Hurricanes after transferring from Temple ... started all 10 games at defensive end in regular season and finished with 45 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks ... tied for ACC lead with three forced fumbles and had two fumbles recovered ... ranked second on Hurricanes and third in ACC with 14.5 tackles for loss ... earned one ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honor ... started season opener against UAB (Sept. 10) and finished with four tackles, including first sack (five yards) of Miami career ... added one quarterback hurry ... sack was 27th of FBS career ... started and posted three tackles in road win at top‐20 Louisville (Sept. 19), including game‐high 2.5 tackles for loss ... finished with 2.0 tackles for loss, including seven‐yard sack, in start against rival Florida State (Sept. 26) ... sack in romp of Seminoles was 28th of FBS career ... posted four total tackles and credited with one quarterback hurry in start at Clemson (Oct. 10) ... named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after dominant outing in start vs. Pittsburgh (Oct. 17) ... finished with season‐high seven tackles (four solo), including 4.0 tackles for loss in win over Panthers ... added one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... wore Turnover Chain for second straight game in start versus Virginia (Oct. 24) after recovering fumble on last play of game ... started and finished with four tackles in win over Cavaliers ... started and credited with six tackles (two solo), 0.5 TFLs, one PBU and one hurry in come‐from‐behind win at NC State (Nov. 6) ... helped lead Miami to another road win in start at Virginia Tech (Nov. 14), finishing with four total tackles including one tackle for loss ... earned second ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honor after dominant outing in start at Duke (Dec. 5), finishing with six tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... started regular season finale against North Carolina (Dec. 12) and finished with four tackles, including one half‐sack.