Marana wide receiver/defensive back Dezmen Roebuck, who led the 5A Tigers to the No. 1 seed in the Open Division state playoffs, was named the Gatorade Arizona High School Football Player of the Year on Friday.
Gatorade sent a news release to The Arizona Republic announcing the Washington-bound senior’s selection.
Roebuck, 6-feet, 190 pounds, who signed his college letter of intent Wednesday with the Huskies, caught 95 passes for 1,131 yards and 14 touchdowns during a 10-1 season that ended with a loss in the Open Division quarterfinal playoffs against Chandler Hamilton, 31-22. Roebuck had 16 catches for 129 yards and a TD in his final high school game.
He also played defensive back this season and finished with 51 tackles and four interceptions, including one he returned for a score.
He had 352 career receptions during his stellar Marana football career.
“What makes Dezmen Roebuck special is that he is willing to do the things no one else is willing to do to separate himself,” coach Phillip Steward said. “The young man is special.”
This is the 40th year of Gatorade selecting state high school football players of the year. It also accounts for community service, academic achievement and overall character.
“Dez is an absolute stud,” Vail Cienega coach Justin Argraves said in the Gatorade release, regarding Roebuck. “He’s a dynamic playmaker. Teams have to account for him in so many ways, which opens up opportunities for his teammates to make big plays.”
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
