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Michigan is considered the leader for running back Tyson Robinson by Rivals, where several predictions are in for the Wolverines to land the 5-foot-9, 195-pound Jackson (Mississippi) Brandon standout.
That might seem surprising given how few Mississippi high school athletes have signed with Michigan over the years, but Robinson feels comfortable there.
Running backs coach Tony Alford is the primary reason for that.
The Wolverines offered last June. Alford has been to the school, hosted Robinson at Michigan, and he will be back in Ann Arbor again the weekend of June 12 for an official visit.
“Coach Alford came in and did a great job,” said Andrew Watson, Brandon assistant coach and recruiting liaison. “I was there when Coach Alford first came by the school. He said he wanted to meet Tyson and if he is taking visits to Arizona State and Kansas State, he might as well come to Michigan. He was very genuine, and that made an impression on Tyson and his family. He took the trip and it felt like home.”
Watson has coached Robinson for three years, but has known him since his youth football days. His youth team, coached by his father, would use the high school’s practice field, and Watson saw the talent right away and hoped he would get to coach him one day.
“I knew something was special about him,” Watson said. “He reminded me of LaDainian Tomlinson because he had the dark visor and he wore the No. 21 jersey. His physique has always been filled out because his dad is this buff-looking guy with broad shoulders, defined biceps and calves, and Tyson has every bit of that passed along from his dad. He looks like a college sophomore now. He’s a special kid.”
Robinson is a solid 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. He is a versatile back. Last season, he rushed for 1,295 yards and 24 touchdowns, but also caught 42 passes for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 7.4 yards a carry.
“His vision and acceleration sets him apart,” Watson said. “He can cut on a dime. His football IQ is very, very high. He loves the game. His brothers played Division 1 ball, his father was a youth coach for over 10 years, so he’s been around the game. He has the vision I haven’t seen from a kid since (now Seattle Seahawks running back) Cam Akers.”
Robinson’s coaches call him a great teammate, locker-room and community presence. He is the star running back frequently in the end zone Friday nights, but without any of the ego that can come with that kind of success.“He’s selfless, mature beyond his age, and has a great nucleus around him at home with his mom and dad,” Watson said.
Michigan would love to add all of his qualities to their roster.
On May 16th — Robinson’s announcement date — they will find out of that will happen.
Miami, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Arizona State are just some of the other 37 schools who offered Robinson.
All predictions on Rivals point to Michigan right now, though.
“We’ve gotten to know Coach Alford as a person and his plan is to retire at Michigan,” Watson said. “He’s not looking for another job. I tell all my kids, don’t go anywhere for a position coach, but love the place as well. He loves Ann Arbor. It’s a beautiful campus and beautiful place, but Michigan is in the lead right now because of Coach Alford.”
Robinson is ranked by Rivals’s Industry Ranking, which averages his rankings across the major recruiting platforms, as the No. 14 running back in the country. He is a four-star and the No. 8 senior-to-be in the state of Mississippi.
Detroit Country Day four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright has named Michigan to his top five along with Michigan State, Miami (Florida), LSU and Oregon. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Cartwright has a Michigan official visit set for June 12 with a commitment date of June 28.
Chicago St. Patrick five-star defensive tackle David Folorunsho will announce his commitment May 15. Michigan is one of the finalists, but is considered to be behind Notre Dame and Miami right now. Georgia and Texas Tech round out the top five for the 6-foot-4, 280-pound recruit.
Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for On3. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trieu: Michigan Wolverines appear to be leader for RB Tyson Robinson
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That might seem surprising given how few Mississippi high school athletes have signed with Michigan over the years, but Robinson feels comfortable there.
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Running backs coach Tony Alford is the primary reason for that.
The Wolverines offered last June. Alford has been to the school, hosted Robinson at Michigan, and he will be back in Ann Arbor again the weekend of June 12 for an official visit.
“Coach Alford came in and did a great job,” said Andrew Watson, Brandon assistant coach and recruiting liaison. “I was there when Coach Alford first came by the school. He said he wanted to meet Tyson and if he is taking visits to Arizona State and Kansas State, he might as well come to Michigan. He was very genuine, and that made an impression on Tyson and his family. He took the trip and it felt like home.”
Watson has coached Robinson for three years, but has known him since his youth football days. His youth team, coached by his father, would use the high school’s practice field, and Watson saw the talent right away and hoped he would get to coach him one day.
“I knew something was special about him,” Watson said. “He reminded me of LaDainian Tomlinson because he had the dark visor and he wore the No. 21 jersey. His physique has always been filled out because his dad is this buff-looking guy with broad shoulders, defined biceps and calves, and Tyson has every bit of that passed along from his dad. He looks like a college sophomore now. He’s a special kid.”
Robinson is a solid 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. He is a versatile back. Last season, he rushed for 1,295 yards and 24 touchdowns, but also caught 42 passes for 668 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 7.4 yards a carry.
“His vision and acceleration sets him apart,” Watson said. “He can cut on a dime. His football IQ is very, very high. He loves the game. His brothers played Division 1 ball, his father was a youth coach for over 10 years, so he’s been around the game. He has the vision I haven’t seen from a kid since (now Seattle Seahawks running back) Cam Akers.”
Robinson’s coaches call him a great teammate, locker-room and community presence. He is the star running back frequently in the end zone Friday nights, but without any of the ego that can come with that kind of success.“He’s selfless, mature beyond his age, and has a great nucleus around him at home with his mom and dad,” Watson said.
Michigan would love to add all of his qualities to their roster.
On May 16th — Robinson’s announcement date — they will find out of that will happen.
Miami, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Arizona State are just some of the other 37 schools who offered Robinson.
All predictions on Rivals point to Michigan right now, though.
“We’ve gotten to know Coach Alford as a person and his plan is to retire at Michigan,” Watson said. “He’s not looking for another job. I tell all my kids, don’t go anywhere for a position coach, but love the place as well. He loves Ann Arbor. It’s a beautiful campus and beautiful place, but Michigan is in the lead right now because of Coach Alford.”
Robinson is ranked by Rivals’s Industry Ranking, which averages his rankings across the major recruiting platforms, as the No. 14 running back in the country. He is a four-star and the No. 8 senior-to-be in the state of Mississippi.
Michigan makes cut for other blue-chip recruits
Detroit Country Day four-star tight end Anthony Cartwright has named Michigan to his top five along with Michigan State, Miami (Florida), LSU and Oregon. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Cartwright has a Michigan official visit set for June 12 with a commitment date of June 28.
Chicago St. Patrick five-star defensive tackle David Folorunsho will announce his commitment May 15. Michigan is one of the finalists, but is considered to be behind Notre Dame and Miami right now. Georgia and Texas Tech round out the top five for the 6-foot-4, 280-pound recruit.
Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for On3. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trieu: Michigan Wolverines appear to be leader for RB Tyson Robinson
Continue reading...
