Junior defensive tackle Roshaun McGee understands the tradition he’s continuing at Merrillville.
From Khris Walton to Dierre Kelly to Kenneth Grant, the torch has been passed to him.
“It’s a legacy I need to hold up,” McGee said. “I feel it. Every day when I hop on this field, it gives me a reason to keep going. There are people who have come before me who have paved the way that I can’t mess up.
“Me and my guys on the defensive line, we’re trying to make a name for ourselves every game.”
McGee has been succeeding. After playing a part-time role last season, he has developed into an every-down standout.
“He plays our anchor position, which is where we typically put our best defensive lineman,” Merrillville coach Brad Seiss said. “He’s done a good job. He’s been our defensive lineman of the week most weeks.
“It’s not a glory position from a stat perspective. You take a lot of double-teams and things like that. But he just comes with the attitude you’d expect.”
Still, McGee has registered 50 tackles — second on the team — including eight for loss, as the Pirates (9-2) prepare to play Duneland Athletic Conference rival Valparaiso (8-3) in a Class 5A regional at 7 p.m. Friday. He had 29 tackles, including two for loss, as a sophomore.
“There were times last year when he got tired, didn’t have the energy, didn’t get all the way through it,” Seiss said. “But he continued to get better through the year. When you’re a guy who comes in as a spot guy compared to being ‘the guy’ the whole time, you have to bring it every single play. He’s understanding how hard he has to play each and every play.”
That process began in earnest after last season. The 6-foot-1 McGee increased his weight to 265 pounds from 220, working out diligently.
“My weight’s played a big role,” he said. “That’s made a big difference this year. I feel way stronger than last year. It’s a big jump — it really is. But it’s a good jump. I feel great about it. I feel healthy.”
McGee also contributes with his outgoing personality.
“He’s one of those guys who’s our vocal leader among the defensive line,” Seiss said. “We don’t have a lot of guys who say a lot, so he’s definitely a piece of energy that we need. He’s only a junior, but with that said, he was our lone defensive lineman who really played a lot last year as a sophomore as a rotational guy.”
McGee has embraced his leadership position.
“I feel like I can talk to every person on the team,” he said. “I want to be the person to be able to talk, to let everybody know when we’re doing good and to let everybody know when we’re messing up. When we’re too cocky, we need to get humble. I like being that person.”
Merrillville topped Valparaiso 37-10 during the regular season on Sept. 30. McGee expects the Pirates to be focused for the postseason rematch after they moved down to 5A following three straight 6A semistate appearances.
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“There’s no way we’re overlooking them,” McGee said. “We respect them, and they’ve improved a lot since the last time we played them. But we’ve improved on levels I can’t even fathom. I see good stuff happening for us Friday.”
Good stuff should continue to happen for McGee after high school, as college interest has been on the upswing.
“I can’t wait for what this offseason brings,” he said. “I hope coaches will see me. I hope this football stuff takes me far. But if that doesn’t work out, I want to go to trade school. I want to be some type of mechanic. I like cars. I’m really into all of that.”
McGee thanked Jim Johnston for all he has learned from the Merrillville teacher. McGee recently changed the brakes on another teacher’s car.
He isn’t ready to put the brakes on this season, however.
“I don’t want to say the wrong thing, but we’re going to get over that hump,” he said. “This hump is over with. We’re working toward it. You can see we’re out here working every day and getting better.”