Hooker: Robinson could be next target in South Florida

Football recruiting in the nation's southeastern tip is a bit different than the rest of the nation. College coaches recruiting from a distance, like Tennessee, must wait to offer area prospects a scholarship after a thorough evaluation is complete.

Colleges that don't have proximity on their side are often at the bottom of the list when it comes to receiving evaluation tapes. Nearby schools also hold a further advantage when evaluating such prospects considering the high transfer rate in the Miami area.

Prospects and high school coaches from the Miami area are used to waiting, patiently considering offers late into the summer and fall.

Patrick Robinson first stepped on the recruiting dance floor in March at the first Nike camp held in Miami. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Robinson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds, making even the most ardent wallflowers take notice.

In April, Robinson's time fell slightly at the next Miami Nike camp when camp organizers unveiled a new electronic timing system. Robinson ran a 4.45, little more than a step slow from the event's best time: 4.31.

"I'm still pretty open about it, but I would say Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Minnesota," Robinson said of his leading college candidates. "That's the top of the list, but I'm still pretty open about. I'm pretty open about the whole situation."

So far, Minnesota is the only school to offer Robinson a scholarship. That will change soon as college coaches wrap up their spring evaluations. And Robinson, privy to South Florida recruiting, knows it.

"I have a feeling the schools I just named are going to offer me," Robinson said. "It's getting close ... coaches have told me they like me and they like the type of player I am. They've told me they'd like me to be there."

Robinson said most colleges are recruiting him as a cornerback. Wide receiver is also a possibility.

"I like cornerback," he said. "I think I have good instincts. Sometimes I just know where the ball is thrown. I was very successful at cornerback last year. I can cover. Schools look at me more as a cornerback."

UT's 2005 recruiting reputation hasn't faded as the Vols plan for 2006. Playing early is a common theme among prospects considering the Vols.

"They play kids early," Robinson said. "I heard (cornerback) Demetrice Morley was going to play as a freshman. I like that."

Robinson seems to be taking this portion of his football career more seriously than before. He said he transferred from South Miami High School to Gulliver Prep in order to limit friendly distractions.

"I just had to move on," he said. "I felt I was slacking a little bit. I was around a lot of people I know and it was taking its toll ... sometimes you just get lazy and it becomes a habit."

"I'm going to a whole different environment. Me not really knowing anybody, I'm just focusing on my work and doing what I've got to do. I want to be on top of my work."

UT's recruiting effort to land Robinson is led by Tennessee assistant Trooper Taylor who secured four signees from South Florida for the 2005 class.

"I've talked to Trooper Taylor," Robinson said. "It was a good conversation. It was real good. He seems like a nice person."

Taylor's strongest competition could eventually come from Florida if the Gators come calling with proximity in their back pocket.

"Florida is close ... I do care about how far I am, but it doesn't matter if I'm not that close to home," Robinson said. "But I've got to be somewhat close. I don't want to be too far, like on the other side of the country."