Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Maryville's Philip Juhlin is sacked by Alcoa's Tyler Robinson during a game at Alcoa High School on Friday August 28, 2009.
Tyler Robinson did something Saturday afternoon he felt he should have done “a long time ago” — commit to the University of Kentucky.
The Alcoa High School senior tight end/defensive lineman picked up his cell phone, dialed Kentucky assistant coach Randy Sanders and left him a voicemail with his decision.
“It just felt right,” he said, “so I just did it.”
Sanders, a former Tennessee quarterback and offensive coordinator at UT, responded within minutes.
“He said, ‘It’s about dang time,’ ” said Robinson. “He said Coach (Rich) Brooks will call me (Sunday).”
Kentucky offered the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Robinson in April, and he made an unofficial visit to Lexington last weekend for the Wildcats’ game with Louisville.
Robinson said he knew after the visit Kentucky would be his choice.
“I pretty much wanted to do it (commit) then,” he said. “But I decided to wait a little bit longer. But it just came out. I wanted to do it. It just happened.”
Kentucky already has two Alcoa products in its starting lineup: wide receivers Randall Cobb and Kyrus Lanxter. Robinson could be the third next season. He said the Kentucky staff plans to use him at tight end, a position in which Kentucky will lose three seniors.
Robinson doesn’t think he’s a shoo-in to start, however. Fully aware he has to earn the spot, Robinson plans to take a few extra measures to come in ahead of schedule.
“I’m going to talk with Randall and get the workouts they do,” said Robinson. “I’m going to get the playbook. I’m going to do whatever I can.”
Robinson was a Class 2A Mr. Football lineman winner and the PrepXtra defensive player of the year last season. Along with the offer from Kentucky, he also received ones from Virginia Tech, Middle Tenness State and Tennessee State during the offseason.
Robinson will take an official visit to Kentucky when the season ends, he said, to be able to spend more time with the staff and players.
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Comments » 6
LiveFaith writes:
At 250#, KY is prob thinking DT. Hopefully we land that highly rated JUCO DT. We have been the bride's maid on several top ranked DT prospects in the past few years. Good thing Dan Williams has played > than his 3 stars suggested. Montori Hughes was a diamond in the rough too.
DT is where defense begins. Especially vs the all the spread offenses.
Cldvols1 writes:
I see UT didn't offer him either, CLK knows what he wants. Good luck to ya Tyler, now Go Vols!!!
teampenny#658108 writes:
Yeah, like he thought we did not need to sign a QB. That is working out well 1 win 1 moral victory and loss. We 104th team in passing offense. As others has said he is either a very smart man or an idiot. Time will tell.
murrayvol writes:
Good luck Mr. Robinson. Hope it works out for you in the Bluegrass.
Couchdummy writes:
Good luck at UK.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good luck youngster. Make your family proud.
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