Robert Rochell

Cornerback / Central Arkansas

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Robert Rochell:  6’2, 195 and 4.3. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Robert Rochell:  I lift weights and do a lot of field work.  I have been training five or six days a week.  I have some facilities that I go to. 

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Robert Rochell:  I played every sport except for baseball.  I loved track.  It was my favorite sport since I was 10 years old.  I ran 100m, 200m, 4x100m and I did the hurdles. 

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Robert Rochell:  I played wide Receiver, RB, QB, and a little bit of DB.  I was mainly a RB/slot WR.  I was used on jet sweeps.  Most schools were looking at me as a WR and an athlete. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Robert Rochell:  I had a lot of schools.  I had Tulane, a few Sun Belt schools and D-II schools.  I got hurt during a basketball game my senior year.  I tried to heal.  I didn’t run track my senior year.  I had to get surgery.  Most schools went away. 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Central Arkansas? 

Robert Rochell:  I got a call from them in late January.  They decided to take the chance despite the injury.  I loved the coaches.  That coaching staff is no longer there.  I liked the atmosphere.  The feel was great.  I fell in love with it.  It was away from home in Louisiana. 

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career?        

Robert Rochell:  I switched to CB right away.  My career has been great.  I have gotten better every year.  I have gained about 30 pounds since I first arrived.  Our team has won a conference championship two out of the three years.  I have 10 INT’s over my career.  Four picks my sophomore year and five picks my junior year. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

Robert Rochell:  We expect to go farther than we did last year.  We fell short in the playoffs in the second round.  We can go all the way.  We are hoping that we will have a season.  

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Robert Rochell:  I bring leadership and good IQ.  I have good speed and ball skills.  I help everyone around me.  I like to play press man and I love to play zone. 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Robert Rochell:  I have been working on getting better at the top of routes.  Being quicker coming out of breaks.  Staying locked on to my man even when the ball isn’t going my way. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Robert Rochell:  The moment when we won the last championship ring.  We beat Incarnate Word on their field. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Robert Rochell:  Be the temperature setter when you walk into a room.  Don’t follow, be a leader.  Stay focused and lead others.  Keep others on track. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Robert Rochell:  I love the Saints.  They are my hometown team.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Robert Rochell:  Jalen Ramsey.  I model my game after him.  He is aggressive and he talks a lot. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Robert Rochell:  DL Nathan Grant, DL Joseph Jones, CB Deandre Lamont, safety Cameron Godfrey, QB Breylin Smith, and WR Lujuan Winningham. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Robert Rochell:  The best competition was from Sam Houston State WR Nathan Stewart.  He had that dog in him.  He was a good player. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a CB?

Robert Rochell:  Good eyes.  Keep your eyes on your man and stay locked in. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Robert Rochell:  The relationships you get from it.  It is bigger than football.  You meet people from different places and you come together to play on Saturday.  It teaches you a lot about life. 

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Robert Rochell:  My mindset separates me.  I came from a heavy poverty environment.  My drive and determination is different.  I take the game seriously.  I love this game. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Robert Rochell:  I like to sleep and rest.  I take care of my body.  I eat right and stay in recovery mode.  I like to relax. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Robert Rochell:  I want to help people.  I came from a poverty stricken background, and my goal is to help the community that is down.  I want to help single mothers and homeless people. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Robert Rochell:  Selfless, determined, charismatic, driven, and empath.