The case for undrafted free agent LB Christian Rozeboom

The LA Rams have an opportunity for a hungry LB to make the roster That describes UDFA LB Christian Rozeboom to a tee

The LA Rams parted ways with five linebackers in the offseason. Four starters included Clay Matthews, Cory Littleton, Bryce Hager, and Dante Fowler Jr., plus restricted free agent Josh Carraway. Five players, five opportunities.  So far, the Rams have taken steps to fill three such spots with the addition of veteran FA Leonard Floyd, and by drafting OLB Terrell Lewis and LB Clay Johnston. Three down, two more to go.

Of course, nothing is locked as far as the Rams linebacking corps. The entire unit is in a state of flux, both in terms of personnel and in terms of how the team will use the role in the new scheme of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.  And that is enough for undrafted free agent linebacker Christian Rozeboom.

Rozeboom is another impressive linebacker who did not hear his name called during the 2020 NFL Draft. But that’s not uncommon for South Dakota State University football players. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 230-pounds, he was a one-man wrecking ball on defense. In four seasons, he racked up 475 tackles, 29 tackles for losses, and best of all, eight interceptions. The LA Rams need interior linebackers who can defend both the run and pass, and Rozeboom certainly can prove he has the background to do both.  His highlight video shows flashes of incredible speed and great tackling, all the while he narrates in the background describing himself and his football passion. During a pre-draft interview, Rozeboom confirmed that he is willing to contribute however he can to help the team win.

Rozeboom also addressed the need to be mentally prepared for football in a second interview. And he joins defensive end, Jonah Williams, on the 2020 FCS Top 25 Draft prospects.

While undrafted, Rozeboom is no stranger to facing an uphill battle to play football. He was not heavily recruited out of high school, and yet managed to be one of the best tacklers in the nation.

The odds may not be in his favor, but Christian Rozeboom has beaten the odds before. Not just to get there, but to excel at the sport few believed he could play.

Now, the odds are stacked against him once more. He has an opportunity to prove himself worthy of a spot on the LA Rams roster. While it’s too earlier to call him a lock to make the roster, he has proven that he can play at a high level. Even more, he has proven that he can beat those odds, and prove the naysayers wrong.  I like his production, his positive attitude, and his ability to keep it all in perspective.

The LA Rams need talented and productive linebackers for 2020. And they may have found a good one from South Dakota State University. He is versatile, can play the pass and the run, tackles anything that moves, and projects to contribute to both special teams and as a backup linebacker in his rookie season. He is exactly what DC Brandon Staley and ST Coordinator John Bonamego are looking for.