Darrien Roberts, a senior wrestler from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania—a state known for its wrestling powerhouse—is pursuing a graduate degree in Project Management at Morgan State University. After entering the transfer portal, he saw an opportunity to join Morgan's newly rebuilt wrestling program under Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday, whose legacy Darrien admires deeply, especially as they both share a background at Oklahoma State University.

Wrestling since the age of four, Darrien has developed a relentless style rooted in discipline and determination. His journey from Oklahoma to Baltimore has introduced him to the culture of an HBCU, where he is building connections and making an impact on the mat. Darrien has an impressive individual record of 11-4 overall, with a 8-2 in dual wins, including a 7-3 record in wins by decision. His fastest pin time this year is 1:31, and he currently holds the second-best record on the team.

As one of the older team members, Darrien is seen as a natural leader and captain. He takes pride in having a part in helping shape the future of Morgan wrestling while striving for a national championship and, ultimately, an Olympic title one day.

Before coming to Morgan and collegiate wrestling, Darrien refined his skills at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's top 7 prep and high school programs, known for producing national champions and NCAA Division I athletes.


Darrien Roberts
Wrestling
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa.
Major: Project Management
   

Student Life

Why did you choose Morgan State?
I entered the transfer portal, and around that time, Morgan's wrestling program was rebuilding under Coach Kenny Monday. He was an OSU graduate, and I was familiar with his legacy in wrestling. I always saw what he did and the impact he left on the sport. This was a great opportunity to come here, create a new tradition, and do it under someone I had always seen on Hall of Fame walls.

Why did you choose to study project management?
Honestly, I just picked it because of the one-year timeline. I previously majored in business but decided to pursue an old dream and accomplish something new.

How would you describe the team culture at Morgan State?
Everyone on the team is very welcoming. They showed me their true colors from the start, which helped me become more comfortable as a teammate. As one of the older guys on the team, I think their energy allowed me to settle in. They're showing me what they want Morgan State wrestling to be.

What drew you to Morgan State ?
I had never really attended a predominantly African American school. My previous schools had African American students, but they were always diverse environments. I saw this as an opportunity to be with my people, but also to build connections that will benefit me after college. Morgan is a National Treasure. 

What's the best time of year on campus?
Spring, there's a lot happening outside, and it gives the campus a great feel.

Where can people find you when you're not on the mat?
Sleeping or eating. I'll go downtown and get pizza.

What advice would you give to current and future Morgan State wrestlers?
Be proud of Morgan. The name is across your chest—wear it with pride. Not everyone gets the opportunity to step on that mat, so when you do, give it your all. 

Pop Culture 

What's your favorite pizza place?
I wasn't really fond of Baltimore pizza at first, but my mom found a really good spot called "Pizza di joey", real brick oven New York Style. Best pizza in Baltimore, hands down!

If Morgan State had a theme song for your journey, what would it be?
Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". It reminds me of the journey itself—there's an end destination, but the journey isn't easy.

What's your go-to hype song?
Anything by Chief Keef or Lil Durk. Two favorites would be "Superheroes" and "Faneto" Chief Keef 

What shows are you currently watching?
Everybody Hates Chris.

Do you prefer podcasts or books? Any favorites?
Podcasts. I like The Joe Rogan's 

If you could be any fictional character, who would it be?
Black Panther. He's strong, resilient, and a true leader.

If you could switch places with any athlete or celebrity for a day, who would it be?
Jordan Burrough

Sports

What was your first interaction with Coach Monday like?
Honestly, it was pretty surreal. I had always seen Hall of Fame pictures and stories about him. Being able to gain daily knowledge from him and, in a way, be on his level in terms of how he treats people in everyday interactions—it's surreal. I think our relationship is going to be lifelong.

What advice do you have for athletes considering graduate school?
Focus on your grades. Being an athlete will help make that transition easier. Develop good study habits and time management skills. The harder you work in undergrad, the better prepared you'll be for the workload in grad school

When did you start wrestling?
I started in 4th or 5th grade in the 8-and-under brackets. 

Who influenced you to start wrestling ? 
My football coach was also the wrestling coach, and he introduced me to the sport. I was a big WWE fan, so at my first practice, I showed up with wristbands like John Cena. I quickly learned the difference! 

What sports did you play growing up?
Baseball, football, and wrestling.

What's your most memorable moment from wrestling as a kid?
I competed a lot at a young age, but I think the most memorable part was the connections I made at those meets. Win or lose, after the tournament, I was always smiling and always eating. Looking back, those moments are what I appreciate the most.

Do you have any pre-match rituals?
I try to stay calm. I had a friend who went through some tough times, and she always encouraged me to "be great". I always remind myself of that. I pray to God, wear my rosary a lot, and always feel like God is with me when I have it on. I also love seeing my parents before a match.

What's the best advice someone has given you?
Waking up early. My coach used to make me wake up early, and whether in sports or life, it helps you get a lot done. He instilled that in me when I was a sophomore in high school, and it built my discipline.

What three words describe your wrestling style?
Nonchalant, exciting, everlasting.

What is your biggest dream in wrestling?
To become a national champion. After collegiate wrestling, I want to work toward an Olympic title.

What's your plan after college in terms of wrestling?
I want to wrestle here in terms of RTC wrestling and help continue to build the program. Having Coach Monday as a coach—a guy who won a national title and an Olympic title—feel it gives me the tools to accomplish what I want to do.

What's a common misconception about wrestling?
People don't like how singlets look, and that sways them away from wrestling. But the biggest misconception is that wrestling is easy—it's not.

What does a day in the life of a wrestler look like?

Daily Routine:

• 6:00 a.m. – Wake up

• 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. – Strength training session

• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast

• 9:00 a.m. – Recovery and rehabilitation

• 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. – Rest and recharge at home

• 3:00 p.m. – Team practice

• Evening – Attend night class (if scheduled); otherwise, unwind and recover

• 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. – Study and coursework (developed strong study habits during high school boarding school experience)

• After studying sleep and repeat 

 

Miscellaneous

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Just keep going! Keep pushing harder every day. Raise your expectations, and eventually, you'll be where you want to be.

Are you a morning or night person?
It varies depending on the day.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Having a job, either as an athlete or in the corporate world. If I'm not successful yet, I want to be on the right track. Definitely independent. Overall, I'm just happy.

If you could design a wrestling camp for youth, where would it be and what would it focus on?
It would be in Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley. I'd focus on techniques like duck-unders, elbows, neutral positions, and low singles.

How was your experience in Oklahoma, and how was the transition to Baltimore?
Oklahoma was flat and dry, but it has a lot of history. Coming to Baltimore was a big change.

What's something most people don't know about you?
People don't know that I'm chill, relaxed, and have a low tolerance for nonsense. I don't let that side out often, so I keep a serious demeanor.

Beneath the Surface full list here

🎙️ Assata Allah-Shabazz, MSU Athletics Communications intern 
🎥 Jake Bandoh, MSU Athletics Lead Production intern

 

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.