BYU Cougars: Player Watch – WR Chase Roberts

The Player Watch, highlighting BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts.

• Chase Roberts
• Position: Wide Receiver
• BYU Cougars
• 6’4” 210 lbs

Who is Chase Roberts?

Chase Roberts was a 3⭐️  in the composites and attended American Fork High in Utah. He had a sensational Senior season, catching 97 passes for 1,771 yards and 18 touchdowns. Roberts was part of the 2019 recruiting class and served a two year Mormon mission.

2022 was Roberts’ first year back for college football. As a true Freshman, he was able to make the rotation for the Cougars and finished with 22 receptions for 357 yards and 2 touchdowns. Roberts built upon that, and led the wide receiver room for the BYU Cougars in 2023.

That season, Roberts earned 73 targets, hauling in 41 for 562 yards and 5 touchdowns. He developed in every aspect, including becoming more versatile. Roberts is the safety blanket for his quarterback, understanding spacing and zone concepts. He will settle down in the soft spot of the zone and flash his numbers to his QB to become a bigger and cleaner target. Roberts seems to be getting better with each year.

For 2024, Roberts should continue as the leading target earner on the BYU Cougars. Quarterback play has been up and down, and with solid QB play in 2024, Roberts can have a breakout season for the Cougars as they try to contend for a Big 12 championship.

Positional Outlook

BYU will be relying on Chase Roberts to lead the wide receiver room as they look to find a quarterback to solidify the team in 2024. The Cougars struggled in 2023, and that was due to inefficient quarterback play. The entire receiving room took a hit, but it was Roberts that was affected the most.

Roberts had a really good season in 2023, but only being able to haul in 56% of his targets really dampened the season. He easily could have had a 60 catch year. But on a positive note, Roberts operated out of the slot more and that versatility could help the Cougars in 2024. He could be lined up in the slot on key 3rd downs to get a free release and connect on a quick pass to move the chains. Roberts operates best as a short to intermediate option and should occupy that area in 2024.

The Cougars will need to get a field stretching wide receiver to help space the field for the entire unit. At times, BYU lacked that last year and defenses didn’t have to worry about being beat over the top. Therefore, they could play for the shorter routes and try to keep everything in front of them. While Roberts isn’t a field stretching player, he will need to take advantage of his route running to get open and be ready for his quarterback.

Strengths

Chase Roberts is a veteran and a very high IQ player. Roberts has seen 876 snaps in his two years at BYU and excels at knowing where to sit in zone coverage. He has enough twitch to be effective in the slot and uses his experience to get open. He’s a dependable option and has been the player to move the chains and operate in short to intermediate routes.

This past season, Roberts improved as a run blocker and was a willing blocker for the Cougars. With BYU having a good run game, this is something that will help Roberts stay on the field. A selfless player, Roberts will do what it takes to help his team.

Breaking down each game, Roberts found the most success when he was lined up in the slot. I would like to see that usage rise even more and get to a 50% rate in 2024. I would also like to see him used in motion pre-snap to get a free release and not have a corner be draped all over him.

Areas of Improvement & Concern

Chase Roberts has an interesting build. His body type suggests that he’d likely be better at one of the boundary spots, but Roberts did really well being a big slot. When watching his tape in the slot, Roberts is able to get a free release. Bigger, more physical corners can absorb him and knock him off his line.

Being on the taller side at 6 feet 4 inches, Roberts can be tight hipped and is not as fluid of a route runner. I would like to see a more diverse release package in order to fend off a corner who is trying to jam him at the line. Roberts won’t be a burner, that’s just not his game. He’s a taller athlete who will work nicely as a big slot.

Pathway to Success

Chase Roberts will be the top option this year for the BYU Cougars. Roberts will benefit from better quarterback play and the Cougars will have an entire offseason to try and sort that position out. If they can find a QB who can become a distributor, Roberts should have a career season. After all, he is the best receiver in that wide receiver room and can easily earn 80+ targets this year. The Cougars will need to improve that passing game and Roberts will be the biggest beneficiary of this.

Beyond the Numbers

Chase Roberts lined up in the slot 35.2% of the time in 2023, up from 21.7% as a Freshman. He has a career YAC of 6.0 and a career yards per route run of 1.96. 2.0 is the number you want to be at, and Roberts is getting there. Roberts has an overall aDOT of 14.2 yards, with 6 drops, or an 8.7% rate. He works best on short to intermediate routes with 59% of his targets being between 0-19 yards.

2024 Outlook

I expect Chase Roberts to be the leader on and off the field for the BYU wide receivers. The Cougars have a couple of players coming back from religious mission and some young players coming in. Roberts’ work ethic should be contagious and the entire room should take after his lead. If Roberts can help mold this room, the Cougars could benefit from years to come. I would not be surprised if Chase Roberts becomes one of the team captains on the offense.