Written by Brandon Oliver

Oregon has had tremendous success recruiting the junior college ranks at a number of positions.  Out of those positions, it is fair to say that the offensive line has been one of the biggest benefactors over the past few years with players such as Palauni Ma Sun and Fenuki Tupou entering the program and making a big splash.  Like most years, there are plenty of options along the lines in the junior college ranks and one of the biggest is also one of the most promising.

Roszell Gayden stands at 6’7” and a “slim” 310 pounds.  On top of his mammoth size, there is a lot more to like about Gayden.  He is entering his sophomore year at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Ca with high expectations and a lot of suitors hot on his trail.  The best part about Roszell is that this will be just his 4th year playing football.  After moving from Chicago to New Hope, Minnesota he starred on the basketball court as a high schooler until the football coach got a hold of him. 

His junior year he saw limited time and that was on the defensive line.  His senior year he was moved to the offensive side and made an immediate impact at the all important left tackle position.  “I have only played football for three years but with my size and my basketball experience, I have good feet so it works well on the field.  I look to make a big impact this year and be ready to move on to a BCS program by December.”  Gayden is currently on pace to achieve his Associate’s Degree in December.

We discussed some of the things he is looking for on a school and a program.  “I am really looking for an opportunity to step in and make an impact.  I feel I can slide in at the left tackle position and help a team immediately.”  What does he want in a program?  “I want to learn under a great O-Line coach at a school that has a strong history of putting lineman in the league.”

With the pace he has developed on the football field, there is no reason to doubt Roszell and his list of suitors backs up the hype.  “Right now I have 7 offers.  Minnesota, Iowa State, Memphis, Southern Miss, Arkansas, Arizona State and Cal have all offered me.  “The list doesn’t appear to be standing still anytime soon either.  “Washington, Fresno State, USC, UCLA and Oregon have all been talking to me quite a bit lately and may be close to offering.  Coach Campbell has been in touch with me from Oregon.  He is a great guy and I am also aware of Coach Greatwood, their great OL Coach.”

Roszell admits that his experience is the biggest thing holding him back and he believes that will be taken care of by this season.  “I am pretty solid all around with good feet and long arms, so I just need some more reps.” 

Right now he hopes to secure a few more offers from big time programs in order to put his talent on display in a major conference.  “Right now I don’t have much of a preference.  I am from the upper-Midwest but now I’m out here in California so where I am doesn’t really matter to me, as long as I get the chance to come in and compete.”

Being at the College of the Sequoias can’t hurt the chances of the PAC-10 teams out there as it is right in the middle of PAC-10 country.  With the recent success at the position from players in similar situations you can bet the staff at Oregon will take their time to evaluate Roszell Gayden and extend an offer if they feel he is at the point where he can come in and contribute immediately to the program.

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