Bartlesville High School junior tight end and outside linebacker Boden Roberts brings a steady mix of football IQ, versatility and gratitude to the Bruins program as they work through another busy offseason. For Roberts, the most noticeable change around Bartlesville football is the attitude within the locker room and on the practice field.
“The thing I love most about this team is the whole new energy that we feel coming from each other,” Roberts said. That energy shows up in summer workouts, where the Bruins continue to build on what they started in spring practices. “Summer workouts are going great, and I saw just how good of a team we can be from spring ball,” he said.
Roberts embraces a two-way role that keeps him involved in nearly every phase of the game. “I play tight end and outside linebacker. I love feeling like I’m able to contribute to every asset of both offense and defense because of the versatility of my positions,” he said. That versatility pairs with his biggest strengths — his mind for the game and his willingness to put in extra work. “I believe my strengths are my football IQ and my versatility and I am working every day to improve my speed and reaction speed on the field,” Roberts said.
Year-round, Roberts is a multi-sport athlete for Bartlesville. “I also play basketball under Coach Christenson and throw discus and shotput for Coach Ayres and Coach Shaw,” he said. Those experiences help him stay competitive and sharpen the physical tools he brings back to the football field.
He credits teammates and family for pushing him forward. “A teammate that has left and is continues to leave an impression on me is AJ Jones as he works harder than anybody and pushes me to do things I don’t believe I can,” Roberts said. “My dad along with my coaches inspire me because they push me to be the best version of myself on and off the field.”
Roberts has also gained perspective from his time in high school athletics. “A lesson I learned last year is to not take any moment for granted because I’ve slowly been figuring out how fast these years fly by,” he said. Looking ahead, he hopes to keep competing beyond Bartlesville. “After graduation I would like to go to college and continue my athletic career along the way,” Roberts said.
