Receiver hauls in record

Walking across the Memorial Stadium field on game days brings back memories for Courtney Roby. The junior wide receiver remembers coming to IU regularly when he was seven years old to see his uncle -- former IU wideout Rob Turner -- play on Saturdays.\n"I would come down whenever possible to see him," Roby said. "It was kind of surprising, because I actually have a picture of when I was seven years old, going across the field with my uncle into the locker room. It's kind of shocking how I can see that and, look at me now, I'm actually playing here."\nRoby is doing more than just following in his uncle's footsteps, although he does sometimes call Turner for football advice. Against Ohio State, Roby had six catches for 47 yards, pushing his career total to 1,532 yards. That secured him a space in the IU record books, 10th all time and only 45 yards away from ninth. \nWith a year and a third left, Roby figures to be moving up that list considerably. Teammate and linebacker Josh Moore said Roby is a constant threat for opposing defenses.\n"He's incredible, he's a really good player," he said. "He's fast, he has great hands, he has everything a good receiver needs to compete in the Big Ten, or any conference for that matter. He can hang with the best. He's very tough to defend against, very tough."\nRoby almost wasn't a Hoosier. Leaning toward signing with Michigan State, he went on a last-minute recruiting trip to IU. Once here, the combination of the campus and the then-coaching staff convinced him to reconsider. \nAs a freshman, Roby played in an offense built around senior stars Antwaan Randle-El and Levron Williams. He had only 11 catches on the year but did start three games. \nWith the next season came a new coaching staff and a new scheme that emphasized the passing game. Given the opportunity, Roby delivered. He caught 59 balls and tied for third in the conference with 86.6 receiving yards per game.\n"I was very happy when coach (Gerry) DiNardo and coach (Al) Borges brought the West Coast offense, because the opportunities were there," Roby said. "I've just tried to take advantage of it. I'm still trying to take advantage of it now."\nRoby's breakout season wasn't without flaws. The receiver's catch total could have been even greater, were it not for dropped balls, a problem that seemed to plague him much of the year.\nOver the winter and spring, IU wide receivers coach Brian McNeely developed a hand-eye coordination program for all his receivers. Three times a week, Roby would catch more than 300 balls a day.\nThe difference has been noticeable.\n"I've come very far, very far," Roby said. "I can't remember any dropped balls I've had so far. At the end of the season, I look back on things I've messed up on and try to improve and that was one of them last year."\nThere is one more thing Roby's photograph may remind him of. At seven years old, he began playing football and for the first time he dreamed of one day playing in the NFL. McNeely said he needs to improve, but with his talent, anything is possible. \n"Staying healthy, continuing to pay attention to detail, continue to improve on his route running and obviously, catch every ball that comes his way," McNeely said. "I think as he continues to do those things, his potential is somewhat unlimited. He has the physical tools to be one of the top players in the league."\n-- Contact staff writer Gavin Lesnick at glesnick@indiana.edu.