NORMAN — In the end, Donovan Roberts went with his gut.
It was his gut that the Norman High senior relied on when he originally committed to Arkansas, and it’s what led him to sign with the Razorbacks on Wednesday, despite a late push from the university just down the street.
“It’s been a struggle, but it’s been a good and blessed position to be in,” said Roberts, who faced a difficult decision after Oklahoma’s offer late in the recruiting process.
“Even when another school is right in front of you, you’ve got to stick with your gut, and I never doubted that. It’s a relief and a load off my shoulders to finally get it all signed and faxed over.”
And now that the frenzy of signing day is firmly behind him, Roberts is focused on taking the next step in his career.
After rushing for more than 5,000 yards in his high school career, he is still hungry for more. And thanks to a fervent dedication and a willingness to learn, Roberts is prepared to take that next step, NHS coach Greg Nation said.
“As a coach, sometimes you’re mesmerized by his moves and some of the cuts he makes, but what’s really been great to watch is how he’s matured over the years,” Nation said. “He’s got the right mind-set.”
The turning point for Roberts, who always has been a tremendous athlete, came two years ago as he prepared for his junior season. That’s when he got serious about improving and making himself attractive to college programs.
That decision changed the way Roberts approached the game. He began paying more attention to his time in the weight room and stepped up his focus on other aspects of the game.
“He started looking at it as, ‘I get to go work out and practice,’ rather than ‘I have to,’” Nation said. “He loves to watch film and he wants to learn.”
Roberts’ work ethic already is making itself apparent. He’s quick to point out that there are fewer than 70 days left of high school for him to prepare for the next chapter in his career.
Roberts said he’s going to approach the next few months “at full throttle” and wants to be ready to hit the field when he steps foot in Fayetteville, Ark., to join a Razorbacks team that went 11-2 in 2011, capped off by a 29-16 victory over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl.
“I’m ready to do anything I can to contribute,” he said, “whether that’s on special teams as a freshman or a few snaps at the end of a big win.”
