Roach came to Nebraska as a linebacker/running back for state high school power Elkhorn. Roach amassed 100 tackles for the Antlers in 2009, and also starred on the offensive side of the ball where he rushed for 1,042 yards and 17 touchdowns.
A first-team All-Nebraska for The Omaha World-Herald, Roach chose to walk on at Nebraska over scholarship offers Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha, and a walk-on invitation from Iowa State.