Brad Roach Developing NC Football Talent with Film to Field
When Brad Roach launched his football training program, he wasn’t just thinking about quarterbacks, or even the next college commit. He was thinking about relationships. About giving back. About creating a space where young athletes — and even former players — could reconnect with the game and find purpose through it.
That idea became Film to Field.
“I was sitting on my couch one night,” Roach said, “and I asked myself, what do high school players need the most that I got in college? The answer was simple — film. Learning how to break it down, how to process it, how to use it. That’s what birthed the name: let’s take what we see on film and bring it to the field.”
Today, Film to Field is a year-round developmental platform in Wilmington — and beyond — that trains players in all positions, mentors them through recruiting, and teaches them how to prepare like college athletes. But for Roach, who once stood on an NFL practice field as a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, this is about much more than football.
The Fire Started in Williamston
Roach’s journey began in Williamston, where he became one of the most decorated quarterbacks in North Carolina high school football history. A two-time state finalist, he threw for more than 5,400 yards and 49 touchdowns, earning 1A Mr. Football, All-State honors, and a spot in the Shrine Bowl.
He signed with Catawba College, where he would go on to rewrite the record books. In three seasons as a starter, Roach threw for 7,874 yards and 62 touchdowns — leading the Indians to an 11-2 record and a playoff run in 2007. That same season, he was named South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and AFCA Division II All-American.
The performance earned him a shot at the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. “I was in the room with Joe Flacco and Cam Cameron,” Roach said. “I didn’t stick long, but I learned how professionals prepare. That experience still fuels how I train kids today.”
He later signed with the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL and had success in arena football before a shoulder injury ended his career. But that ending opened a new door.
From Player to Purpose
Roach stepped away from football for a few years. But the itch never left.
“I missed it. Not just the game, but the environment,” Roach said. “And I started thinking — what if there was a place where former athletes could come back and give something real to the next wave?”
That thought became a mission. In 2019, Roach launched Film to Field, not as a personal brand, but as a community.
“I didn’t want ‘quarterback’ in the name because I knew I wanted more than that,” he said. “My vision was to have position coaches — guys who played those spots — teaching them. That way, I could focus on quarterbacks, and they could focus on the rest. Now we’ve got eight coaches, and it’s grown more than I imagined.”
What Makes It Different
Film to Field isn’t your average private training program. It blends mental and physical development, film education, and competitive reps into a year-round structure.
Roach hosts:
- Weekly Zoom film sessions: “We do Tuesday and Thursday nights,” he said. “We’re teaching how to watch film — not just for highlight tapes, but for real development.”
- On-field training across all positions, emphasizing technique, game-speed timing, and situational understanding.
- 7-on-7 competition through his travel team, Carolina Recon, designed to reinforce learning while providing exposure.
- Recruiting support through education, realistic goal-setting, and outreach to college coaches.
He’s especially passionate about offseason work. “When I grew up, you just played whatever sport was in season,” he said. “Now, it’s changed. Kids are putting in more offseason work, and if you’re not, you’re going to fall behind. But I also tell every athlete — your in-season coach is the one who matters. We’re building your foundation here. You execute their system come fall.”
And while 7-on-7 has its critics, Roach sees it as a tool — if used right.
“It’s not realistic without a line in front of you, sure,” he said. “But we make the timing faster, the decisions quicker. I tell my QBs: this isn’t for show — it’s to prepare you mentally.”
A Platform for Players — and Coaches
One unexpected result of Film to Field has been the opportunity it gives former athletes to stay in the game.
“I didn’t even realize I was doing this at first,” Roach said. “But I created a platform where former players — guys who’ve played college or even pro — can come back, coach, and mentor. That’s big. Because when your career ends, it’s hard to know what’s next. This gives guys purpose again.”
It’s not about taking over. It’s about giving back.
The Results and Reach
Since its launch, Film to Field has supported the development of dozens of players who have gone on to the next level. And while Roach is quick to say he’s “just one part of their journey,” the track record speaks volumes.
Class of 2021
- Gavin Kuld – QB, Colorado
Class of 2022
- BJ Sexton – WR, Barton
- Tristen Shapiro – WR, Barton
- Eric Howell – DB, Barton
- Isaac Wooten – RB, Greensboro
- RJ Green – QB, Livingstone
- Semaje Moore – WR, Randolph Macon
Class of 2023
- Jack Lambert – QB, Penn State
- Shane Mabberley – TE, Winston-Salem State
- Shane Shapiro – WR, Guilford
- Michael Carlock Williams – WR, NC A&T
Class of 2024
- Hudson Wilharm – QB, NC State
- Miles Parker – TE, East Carolina
- Nathan LaRose – QB, Louisburg
- Nathan Hall – DL, Randolph Macon
- Braden Quinn – QB, Brevard
- Josh Quinn – WR, Brevard
- Donovan Williams – DB, Lafayette
- John Wolfenbarger – DB, Sewanee
- Amari Ferdna – WR, Bridgewater College
- Gregory Price – LB, Bridgewater College
- Jason Smith – OL, Richmond
- Malachi Moore – WR, Benedictine
- Andrew Finnerty – WR, Kentucky Wesleyan
Class of 2025
- Ian Grissom – QB, Western Carolina
- Quinn McCaffrey – WR, Lafayette
- Jaidon Lovett – WR, Johnson C. Smith
- AJ Graham – FS, Delaware
- Jamari Farmer – LB, ETSU
- Tanner Payne – QB, Elon
“These players are talented. Their high school coaches do a great job. I just try to be one more piece in their development,” Roach said.
The Hall of Fame and the Bigger Picture
In 2025, Brad Roach will be inducted into the Catawba College Sports Hall of Fame. It’s a milestone for a player who gave five years to the program and still holds multiple school records. But it’s also a reminder of how the game has changed.
“I’m glad the transfer portal didn’t exist when I played,” he said. “It kept me at Catawba. I built lifelong friendships. I grew up. Now, I just want to help kids navigate this new era and be ready when opportunity knocks.”
From Williamston to Wilmington, from quarterback to coach, from NFL dreams to mentorship reality — Brad Roach is proof that purpose can evolve, and impact can multiply.
“It’s not about getting credit,” Roach said. “It’s about seeing a kid grow, seeing a kid believe in himself, and knowing maybe I had a small part in that. That’s the win now.”
From film to field — and far beyond — Brad Roach is building futures through football.
Learn more about Film to Field here:
https://www.filmtofield.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAac29Rn2Ppq7jlDs6Aed7-uaM1VmsqhIxhYVXbmH9Y-AOdysGfjjBUk1nxU9hQ_aem_2Y4vOSGu2HNXcM1y-qA2lQ