Senior defensive tackle Sam Roberts became the seventh National Football League draft pick in the Northwest Missouri State University football program's history when the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round.

Roberts (Waynesville, Mo.) was the 200th player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Patriots.

Roberts was named the 2021 Cliff Harris Award winner, which is given in honor of the nation's small college defensive player of the year. Roberts was chosen the D2CCA Super Region 3 and MIAA defensive player of the year. He captured first-team All-America honors from the D2CCA and AFCA. Roberts was a second-team Associated Press All-America performer. Roberts was also a first-team All-MIAA player in 2021. He led a dominant Bearcat defense and recorded 18 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks in 13 games in 2021. His 18 tackles-for-loss tied for the eighth-best single-season mark in Bearcat history. Roberts had at least a half-tackle for loss in 12 different games. Roberts helped guide Northwest Missouri State to a No. 2 national ranking in scoring defense (12.1 points allowed per game) and No. 4 in the country in total defense (223.6 yards allowed per game).

Following the season, Roberts competed in the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game.

ALL-TIME NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE NFL DRAFT PICKS
 

Name	Position	Year	Round	Selection	Team
Ed Tillison	Fullback	1992	11	306	Detroit Lions
Chris Greisen	Quarterback	1999	7	239	Arizona Cardinals
Seth Wand	Offensive Tackle	2003	3	75	Houston Texans
Dave Tollefson	Defensive End	2006	7	253	Green Bay Packers
Xavier Omon	Running Back	2008	6	179	Buffalo Bills
Brandon Dixon	Defensive Back	2014	6	195	New York Jets
Sam Roberts	Defensive Tackle	2022	6	200	New England Patriots