Noah Roberts

Physical Profile

Listed at 5-11, 205 lbs. Taller than 54% and heavier than 79% of 2027 Running Back prospects in the SEC Scouts database (24 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is a versatile, one-cut back who is at his best in space and as a receiver. Basha uses him both as a traditional runner and as a moving chess piece: screens, swing routes, choice routes from the backfield, and snaps split out wide. He is patient getting to the line and decisive once he picks a lane. He prefers to run through arm tackles rather than dance, and near the goal line he runs downhill hard. His ball skills show up in how naturally he adjusts to throws away from his body and turns upfield after the catch. Compared with a pure speed back, he wins more with vision, size and receiving skill than with top-end breakaway speed. That fits a zone scheme that asks backs to press a gap and cut once.

Strengths

• Pass-catching skill that is rare for a running back: 50 catches for 562 yards and 6 TDs as a junior (11.2 yards per catch), and 99 catches across three seasons. He runs routes from the backfield and from the slot instead of only catching checkdowns.
• Proven production with a heavy workload: as a sophomore he had 152 carries for 1,067 yards (7.0 per carry) and 19 TDs on a strong 6A Basha team, and he averaged 6.6 per carry as a junior against Arizona's top classification.
• Physical style beyond his age: since his freshman year the Basha staff has said he 'delivers blows instead of taking them.' As a senior he has been the finisher near the goal line, with three rushing TDs against Red Mountain and three against Chandler in 2026.
• Film study and football IQ: his father coached him from ages 8 to 11 and still breaks down film with him, and his coordinator singles out how quickly he turns meeting-room teaching into on-field results. That points to faster growth in pass protection and learning the playbook.

Areas to Improve

• Keeping his pad level down: a 6-1 back has to lower his shoulders consistently at contact and when cutting in traffic. College linebackers will punish him if he runs tall between the tackles.
• Rushing efficiency and consistency: his junior rushing numbers fell from the sophomore spike (1,067 yards and 19 TDs down to 761 and 8) as his workload tilted toward receiving. Evaluators will want to see him carry an every-down load as a senior and show he can take 20 carries on Friday nights.
• Pass protection: at Texas, backs have to pick up blitzes to earn third-down snaps. His receiving value only turns into early playing time if he can identify and square up blitzing linebackers.
• Adding strength without losing speed: he needs to reach about 210 pounds of functional mass and keep the burst to stay a threat in space.

College Projection

He projects as a rotational and third-down back in Steve Sarkisian's offense in 2027. Early on his value will be on passing downs, running routes and catching the ball, with some special-teams work while he adds weight in the strength program. Texas's RB room and RB coach Jabbar Juluke's rotation-heavy approach give him a realistic path to a 1B role by his sophomore year (2028). If he reaches 205-210 pounds and handles pass protection, he has lead-back potential by his third year. Sarkisian has a track record of using backs as receivers (Bijan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks), which suits Roberts's skill set.

NFL Outlook

His NFL case is based on versatility. The modern league puts a premium on backs who can line up wide and win on routes, and his frame and hands fit that mold. The realistic ceiling is a Day 2 pick (rounds 2-3) if he becomes a full-time college starter with receiving production similar to his high school numbers. The more likely range is Day 3 as a passing-down and committee back. His stock will depend mainly on whether he adds mass while keeping his burst, and on how good he becomes in pass protection.

Best Fit

The best fit is a pro-style or spread-to-run offense that uses the running back heavily in the passing game and runs a wide-zone or inside-zone base scheme. Texas under Sarkisian and Juluke matches this closely, which is a strong scheme fit. It would be a worse fit for a gap-scheme offense that only asks backs to run downhill, or an Air Raid system where backs mostly pass-protect.