2011 Countdown: #31 Marvin Robinson

Marvin Robinson (#3)

Name: Marvin Robinson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
School: Lake Region High School in Winter Haven, FL
Position: Safety
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Robinson #64 and said he would have a steadily increasing role at Spur.  He saw pretty steady action on special teams and played a bit at free safety, making 3 total tackles.

Michigan fans hoped last year that Robinson would enroll in January, get a little bit of experience in spring practice, and sub in for the athletically limited Jordan Kovacs once the season arrived.  Unfortunately, that scenario didn't play out, partly because Robinson was unable to graduate high school in December like he had hoped.  Robinson bounced back and forth between free safety and weakside linebacker in 2010, finally finding a home at the free safety position late in the season.  His three tackles on the year didn't inspire much confidence, but with a defensive coaching staff devoid of conjuring up any kind of schematic advantage, it's tough to glean much from his playing time or production.

Now it's 2011, Robinson has added an inch and 10 pounds to his frame, and he's closer to contributing this fall.  In the spring Robinson played free safety, but seems to be squarely behind both Kovacs and sophomore Carvin Johnson in development.  Robinson has good size and adequate speed, but his understanding of fundamentals and coverage leave a little to be desired.  Most Michigan fans seem to hope that Kovacs is replaced (sooner rather than later) by somebody with a little more size and speed, but he's held off competitors to this point and looks to have a starting job in hand, at least to begin the season.  Robinson could sub in at either safety position, but it might be a while before he's a solid contributor at this level.  Until then, look for him to be sprinting downfield on the coverage units.

Prediction: Backup free safety, special teams contributor