Washington (Oklahoma) 2025 TE Nate Roberts waiting for the right time to make college commitment
WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA - Nate Roberts can’t be missed.
Standing at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, the Washington High School junior can tower above opposing defenders in the secondary and on the line of scrimmage.
As a tight end, that size comes in handy. But combined with his speed, hands and athletic ability, Roberts is a bona fide weapon that most high school teams do not have an answer to how to stop him.
“I think since I'm so big, I think that's a big thing for me. But just the way that I move with my size, I think that's a big thing for me also,” Roberts said. “I can be a physical blocker, but also can run smooth routes. I think that's what sets me apart from other people.”
Washington continues season-long dominance with shutout win
Roberts finished his junior season with 33 receptions for 705 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 21.4 yards per catch rivaled many big-time receivers.
Along with teammate Cooper Alexander (an Iowa State commit), they give Washington probably the most talented tight end room in the nation.
“It helps a lot, it helps in the run game a lot. Having someone to help me in the run game is really big for me, but also getting me open and also getting (Alexander) open,” Roberts said. “If Cooper is having a good game, then they're going to want to guard him and leave me open. It's vice versa.
"But we work really well together. We're really good teammates to each other.”
Washington quarterback Major Cantrell agreed.
“Nate's a tremendous player. He's always been like that," Cantrell said. “He works really hard. It's crazy to have two DI tight ends, that is unreal.
"Teams are going to bracket them, but he does a great job of finding space. We're going to attack it and we're going to give it to our playmakers.”
Roberts came into this season with a few goals in mind. Along with winning another 2A state championship, he is looking to post 15 touchdowns, 900 receiving yards, 40 catches and at least two pancake blocks per game.
Roberts is currently the second-ranked tight end in the 2025 class, according to most recruiting boards. Yet, heading into this season, the Oklahoma native saw flaws in his game that he needed to work on.
"Just my blocking, I think blocking and route running," Roberts said. “I think I was good at them last year, but you can always improve.
"I think those are the two big things that I can improve on this season.”
Washington tight end Nate Roberts hauls in the winning touchdown pass in the Warriors' Class 2A state championship game win against Oklahoma City Millwood on Dec. 10, 2022.
Even though Roberts has the hands and size to be a Travis Kelce-type tight end, he also sees room to add a little George Kittle as well. One who can run the entire route tree while also taking on elite defensive ends in pass blocking.
“Tight end is a blocking and wide receiver type position," Roberts said. “You can't just be a wide receiver. You have to be able to block as well.
"But last year, I am not going to say I was bad at it, but I knew that I was going to need to improve. So that's what I did this season; I worked a lot on it in the offseason. It's really shown this season.”
Best high school tight ends in the nation entering the 2023 football season
Roberts decommitted from the University of Notre Dame in early August. Since then, his name has been connected to several different elite programs around the country. That includes the University of Oklahoma.
Roberts has offers from the likes of Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon and both Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. In total, he has amassed 33 offers from various programs around the country.
However, Roberts said he is in no rush to commit this time around.
“What I'm going to do is I'm going to take my official visits,” Roberts said. “I'll take probably three or four official visits. We're not going to rush it at all.
"I think we knew what mistakes we made when I committed to Notre Dame, but we definitely don't want to make those again. We're going to wait it out and make sure the time is right.”
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
