Five top-10 individual season records. Three top-10 career records. First kick-off returned for a touchdown since 1989. Named 2007 "Best Athlete" in the Mid American Conference by Street & Smith Magazine. A sixth place ranking in the MAC for All Purpose Yards by a freshman in 2006.
For most athletes, it takes multiple seasons to achieve such a solid list of accomplishments. For sophomore wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt, it only took his freshman year to solidify himself in the Buffalo record books. Before that, the wide receiver was an all-star quarterback at St. Joseph's Collegiate High School in Buffalo, NY.
Following his outstanding freshman year at Buffalo, Roosevelt worked hard to improve and maintain his skills.
"The big thing in the off-season was trying to get stronger and work on getting faster," Roosevelt said.
Roosevelt moved into the role of wide receiver during his freshman year. Then-sophomore Drew Willy already held the quarterback role, but the change has not caused Roosevelt to abandon his original position.
"At practice, I have a couple plays that I run as quarterback," Roosevelt said. He went on to explain that he acts as second string quarterback.
As a receiver, Roosevelt is able to thrive at the position due to his quickness and speed, but the transition has shown him another side of the game.
"I really didn't have to run routes or block people (in high school)," Roosevelt said. "Now I have to block, it's more running, and more contact."
Although Roosevelt was not used to playing as a receiver, it was a position that he showed promise for early in his football career.
"In little league, I played running back and wide receiver," Roosevelt said. "It was a Pop Warner league we had."
Initially, Roosevelt didn't even want to play football. It took some coaxing from his father to get him to play.
"My dad got me into playing football," Roosevelt said. "What I really wanted to play was basketball. I didn't want to play football and get hit and stuff. When I was about seven or eight, he took me out to play little league for the first time."
The influence Roosevelt's father has made on his career along with being close to his family were factors that ultimately helped him in the decision to attend UB.
"A big part was my family and being close to home," Roosevelt said. "It is a big thing to have your family there to support you."
Knowing that his family is in the stands at every home game, constantly cheering him on creates a familiar feeling that has helped him succeed on the collegiate level.
"I just feel like I always did," Roosevelt said. "They came to every game I've ever played. It's just the same feeling I've had all my life with them in the stands."
As a varsity student athlete, it can often be difficult to juggle both commitments, but Roosevelt has figured out how to succeed at both.
"It's about how you manage your time," Roosevelt said. "Knowing when to study, when to go over your notes, and have some time to sleep."
As the football team has just passed the halfway point of the season, Roosevelt is looking to achieve some goals, individually and for the team.
"The biggest goal is to win a MAC championship," said Roosevelt. "A goal for me is to at least get 700 yards receiving."
Going into the second half of the season, Roosevelt is already more than halfway to his personal goal with 364 receiving yards. With the Bulls sitting at 3-1 in the MAC, the team goal seems likely as well.
Once his time at Buffalo has passed, Roosevelt has bigger goals for his future.
"I want to play in the NFL," Roosevelt said. "So maybe I can do that."
Until that time comes, Roosevelt still has two more years to add to his already long list of successes.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
