Penn Hills DB Noel Roach will stay close to home, commits to the Zips @NMRIII_ @phqbclub
Tagged under: District 7, News, Recruiting
Billy Splain | June 19, 2020
He had plenty of choices, but wanted more. Unfortunately as we have seen this year, the Covid pandemic is definitely shaping decisions for recruits. Fortunate for Akron you could say as Penn Hills DB Noel Roach committed to the Zips. The incoming senior had an all star list of offers: William&Mary, Holy Cross, Bowling Green, Kent St, Akron, UPenn, Army, Lehigh, Richmond, Fordham, Navy, Duquesne, St Francis, Western Michigan, Albany, Bryant and Delaware but it was the familiarity and fit that won him over. Covid did play a role as he wanted to visit more schools.
He made his decision known on twitter today:
Committed. #GoZips🦘🦘🦘 pic.twitter.com/XFeVZhr0SA
— Noel Roach III (@NMRIII_) June 19, 2020
We caught up with Noel to find out what helped him make his decision:
PFN: How long have you played football?
Noel: I’ve been playing football since I was 6
PFN: Why did you choose to commit to the Zips?
Noel: I loved the coaching staff, the players are committed to getting better and being better, I felt like it was a good fit
PFN: Why commit early?
Noel: Spots were filling up, I didn’t feel pressured but I did and also I loved the school and I felt the love back so why wait
PFN: Who was your biggest influence at Akron, who recruited you?
Noel: Coach Feeney the defense coordinator and coach Lett
PFN: What are they getting in player like you?
Noel: They are getting a hard worker in the classroom and the weight room, a smart player who plays faster and loves to hit people
PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?
Noel: The recruiting process was different for me. It started slow then picked up fast and never slowed down. I was constantly talking to coaches throughout quarantine but sadly I only visited a couple schools
PFN: How did the Covid 19 pandemic affect your decision?
Noel: COVID eliminated my opportunities to visit schools and go to camps. But it allowed me to be on more phone calls and zoom calls throughout the process. & it ultimately sped up my decision
PFN: What position were you recruited for?
Noel: Safety
PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?
Noel: No I’m still undecided but something in the realm of engineering
PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?
Noel: They played a huge role in my decision. I ran things by them and told them information and they helped me make my decision
PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the Zips program?
Noel: The most exciting thing to me is the future of the program and the potential of it. Also being able to play with former teammates and playing in coach Feeney’s pro style defense
PFN: What are you most looking forward to while playing for the Zips?
Noel: I believe this is the best place for me to thrive as a player and be successful in the classroom
PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?
Noel: It has to be my dad because I felt like he molded me into the player I am today, all the years he has coached me in midget league and taking me out to work on technique and training
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