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| Jerald Robinson |
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: South High School in Canton, OH
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #83
Last year: I ranked Robinson #58 and said he would earn regular reps at wide receiver. He redshirted.
As I'm going through this countdown list, I'm discovering exactly how disappointing the 2010 freshman class was, at least in their short time on campus. Not only are seven guys from the 27-man class of 2010 already gone (failed to qualify, kicked off the team, transferred, etc.), but a few more were in the doghouse early in their careers, including Robinson. There are several talented and hardworking guys like Carvin Johnson, Drew Dileo, and several others, but it just seemed like an immature group. Robinson was the most talented wideout in the class with decent speed plus the size and leaping ability to outjump cornerbacks, but he reportedly didn't do what he needed to do in the offseason, and that kept him off the field last fall.
Now it's 2011, though, and Robinson no longer has the excuse of being fresh out of high school. He can run and jump and generally make quarterbacks happy. He ought to be one of the first receivers off the bench and, if he keeps his head on straight, could be a starter in 2012. It's unclear how often the receivers will rotate this fall, and there are four senior receivers ahead of him, so we might only see flashes of what's to come for the next three years.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 8 catches, 110 yards
I see Robinson as a key player for Hoke. It will be a big relief if he matures to a level of decent starter. If he is not up to the task, there will be a hole at WR between RR's guys and Hoke's reinforcements. Help will not come until 2012 at the earliest, or perhaps later.
ReplyDeleteInteresting side comments on the 2010 class. That class struck me as a product of the WVU approach. RR seemed to target a few specific guys, but then just canvassed the landscape with random offers. It was tough to discern any strategy to that class. To go after questionable kids (like Dorsey) is one thing, but to go after questionable kids who are not top talents is unnecessary.