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PITTSBURGH -- The long history of defensive prowess in the Mid-American Conference has produced only one freshman to win defensive player of the year in the 45-year history of the award. That was not current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (Kent State), Oakland Raiders DE Khalil Mack or even former NFL great Jack Lambert (Kent State).
That distinction belongs to former Kent State defensive end Roosevelt Nix, who was so good at the position that he was the fifth player in MAC history to earn first-team all-conference honors four times. Nix also holds the school record for most tackles for loss with 65. He also has 24 career sacks.
But despite his defensive prowess, Nix is a fullback and a stalwart on special teams for the Steelers. Nix dreamed of landing in the NFL, but not on the other side of the ball. But his thought process changed during his college stint.
"I asked the coaches to allow me to play some linebacker, because I knew if I wanted to play in the NFL I would have to move to another position," Nix said. "And that's because of the stereotypes associated with playing certain positions."
Although he has the skills, the 5-11 Nix does not fit the mode of a defensive lineman. His dream would have been denied if he was not willing to switch. Nix signed as an undrafted free agent linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons last year. The Falcons converted him to fullback but he was released. He signed to play with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena League, but the Steelers signed him last February to a contract.
"I became a victim of [being too small]," Nix said. "I just had to adapt and move on. I took it as a challenge. I put a chip on my shoulder and that's how I live."
Nix has made a smooth transition to his new positions. The Steelers traditionally use their fullback as more of an H-back and Will Johnson fits that mode. When Johnson is out, however, Nix enters in the role of battering ram to clear lanes for the tailbacks. That was in place on several occasions last Sunday when Nix led the way for reserve running back DeAngelo Williams' 170 yards and two touchdowns.
"Fullback is a different position, it's a dying breed," Nix said. "Not too many people want to go Iso (isolation) right at somebody. That's just what I do and I'm not complaining because I'll do anything to play football."
Nix has done plenty when it comes to special teams. He leads the Steelers with eight special teams tackles. He made a huge impact against the Raiders when he caused a fumble with his hit in the fourth quarter. The Steelers recovered and scored two plays later.
"He's a high-energy guy," said special teams coordinator Danny Smith. "He gives great effort. He's a tough kid. Those are certain traits you need to have to be a good special teams player in this league. Nix works for everything he gets, and he gets exactly what he deserves."
Even if his start in the NFL is not his ideal position.
"Whatever the team needs me to do, even if I had to kick or punt, I'd do it," Nix said.
[url]http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/11/pittsburgh_steelers_fb_rooseve.html[/url]
That distinction belongs to former Kent State defensive end Roosevelt Nix, who was so good at the position that he was the fifth player in MAC history to earn first-team all-conference honors four times. Nix also holds the school record for most tackles for loss with 65. He also has 24 career sacks.
But despite his defensive prowess, Nix is a fullback and a stalwart on special teams for the Steelers. Nix dreamed of landing in the NFL, but not on the other side of the ball. But his thought process changed during his college stint.
"I asked the coaches to allow me to play some linebacker, because I knew if I wanted to play in the NFL I would have to move to another position," Nix said. "And that's because of the stereotypes associated with playing certain positions."
Although he has the skills, the 5-11 Nix does not fit the mode of a defensive lineman. His dream would have been denied if he was not willing to switch. Nix signed as an undrafted free agent linebacker with the Atlanta Falcons last year. The Falcons converted him to fullback but he was released. He signed to play with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena League, but the Steelers signed him last February to a contract.
"I became a victim of [being too small]," Nix said. "I just had to adapt and move on. I took it as a challenge. I put a chip on my shoulder and that's how I live."
Nix has made a smooth transition to his new positions. The Steelers traditionally use their fullback as more of an H-back and Will Johnson fits that mode. When Johnson is out, however, Nix enters in the role of battering ram to clear lanes for the tailbacks. That was in place on several occasions last Sunday when Nix led the way for reserve running back DeAngelo Williams' 170 yards and two touchdowns.
"Fullback is a different position, it's a dying breed," Nix said. "Not too many people want to go Iso (isolation) right at somebody. That's just what I do and I'm not complaining because I'll do anything to play football."
Nix has done plenty when it comes to special teams. He leads the Steelers with eight special teams tackles. He made a huge impact against the Raiders when he caused a fumble with his hit in the fourth quarter. The Steelers recovered and scored two plays later.
"He's a high-energy guy," said special teams coordinator Danny Smith. "He gives great effort. He's a tough kid. Those are certain traits you need to have to be a good special teams player in this league. Nix works for everything he gets, and he gets exactly what he deserves."
Even if his start in the NFL is not his ideal position.
"Whatever the team needs me to do, even if I had to kick or punt, I'd do it," Nix said.
[url]http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/11/pittsburgh_steelers_fb_rooseve.html[/url]
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