Freddie Roach has three brothers including former Crimson Tide receiver Tim Bowens. Freddie attended Brooks High School in Killen, Alabama where he played running back and linebacker. As a sophomore, Freddie totaled 158 tackles, blocked 6 kicks, and scored 14 rushing touchdowns on offense. The following year he rushed for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense he finished with 155 tackles and 12 sacks. He also blocked 4 kicks on the year on his way to all-state honors. As a senior Freddie helped Brooks High to a 11-2 record, rushing for 1,277 yards and 18 touchdowns. On defense he totaled 194 tackles and 6 forced fumbles on his way to his second straight appearance on the all-state team. He was named American General “back of the year” for his performance at running back. He finished his career with over 3,000 rushing yards and over 500 tackles in three years as a starter. Freddie was considered the #2 linebacker in the state coming out of high school and accepted a scholarship to the University of Alabama where he sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt. In 2002 he started 10 games, totaling 63 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and his only career interception on his way to all-freshman honors. The following season, Freddie started all 12 games racking up a career high 86 tackles on the year. He also had a sack and a forced fumble. As a junior he started the season as a backup to Cornelius Wortham at the middle linebacker position. After an injury sidelined Juwan Simpson, Roach returned to the starting lineup at the weakside linebacker position for the final six games of the season. He finished with 57 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on the year. As a senior, Freddie finished third on the team in tackles with 66 and led the team in passes broken up with 9 on the season. He was named second team all-SEC for his performance his final year with the Crimson Tide.

Freddie Roach has been a versatile player for the Crimson Tide, starting at both middle linebacker and outside linebacker during his four years at Alabama. He is a very hard worker who has a good combination of size and strength for a middle linebacker. He possesses good instincts and always seems to be around the football. His strength allows him to effectively shed blocks and make plays in the backfield. He is a smart player who is good at reading and reacting to what the offense is doing. He is a very good run defender who hits hard and is a fundamentally sound tackler. Freddie lacks the ideal speed and athleticism for the position. He has improved his coverage ability, but he still needs to work on that area of his game. Freddie Roach is a solid run stopper who will probably be just a two down linebacker in the NFL due to his weaknesses in the passing game. He should be a late first or early second day pick in April.