Naaman Roosevelt came to the University at Buffalo as a lightly recruited athlete who wanted an opportunity to play quarterback. Four years later, he leaves as arguably the greatest wide receiver in UB history.

Roosevelt, the former St. Joes quarterback and Turner Gills first recruit as a head coach, will miss the final game of his senior season Friday at Kent State with a knee injury. UBs career leader in receptions and receiving yards will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee that will keep him sidelined for three to four weeks, Gill said.

Hes one of the ones who had an impact in turning this program around, Gill said. I call him a playmaker and a difference-maker because he can do some great things with the football . We appreciate all the hard work and all the dedication. He is a guy I would say I want our guys to model after.

Roosevelt first started to feel discomfort in the knee a few weeks ago but played through the pain. An MRI on Monday revealed the tear.

Coach Gill and the trainer wanted to check on it and see what was wrong and they found out it was a tear and something that needed to be fixed, Roosevelt said. The best decision was to go and get it fixed.

Roosevelt leaves owning UBs career record in receptions (268), receiving yards (3,551) and receiving touchdowns (28). A first team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2008 and a second-team choice in 2007, Roosevelt finished with 14 100-yard receiving games.

Theres some emotional things there, and Im obviously saddened and disappointed that hes not able to finish out the last two ball games, Gill said. With this last one I thought we may have a chance. Its part of life, its part of football and were always going to look out for the best interest in the young man and whats the best interest for our program.

The last game of his career, two weeks ago against Ohio University , was perhaps his best. Roosevelt finished with eight receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns, including a season-long 76-yard reception.

To look back at the season, it was a great thing to be here and watch them win at Miami, Roosevelt said. Ill definitely look at the last four years and how the team has turned around and how the program has turned around into one of the great programs in the division. Im just glad to be a part of it.

After rehabilitation, Roosevelt will begin preparations for the upcoming NFL Combine where he and tailback James Starks will have to answer questions about injuries. Starks, the former Niagara Falls High School standout, missed his entire senior season with a shoulder injury.

In a player evaluation by Scouts, Inc., Roosevelts durability is listed as exceptional but there are questions about his separation skills, run after the catch and vertical speed.

I have to get stronger, faster and watch film to see what I need to work on in terms of blocking and route running, Roosevelt said.

In nine games this season , Roosevelt had 70 receptions for 954 yards and nine touchdowns. His numbers are down from a year ago when he finished with a career-best 104 receptions for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns, but he played in five more games.

Posted on November 26th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football