100 Days of Florida Football: No. 11 Demarcus Robinson

Quick, name the Gator who has had the best offseason not named Jeff Driskel. If you named Driskel’s top target Demarcus Robinson, then by all accounts, you’d be right. Robinson was expected to come to Gainesville and contribute immediately. He has the size, speed, and technique to be a Biletnikoff Award winner, but his first season at Florida was downright miserable. But since then, Robinson has put in the work to become that gamebreaking receiver the Gators have sorely missed.

Another player from the state of Georgia, Robinson played his high school ball at Peach County High School in Fort Valley. His rare blend of downfield explosiveness and 6-2, 200 pound frame made him a big target for Trojans quarterbacks. He also played a little basketball at Peach County. Robinson’s senior season was a memorable one. He caught 53 balls for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning Class AAA All-State honors and a trip to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He also earned the title of top wide receiver at the Atlanta MVP camp and helped lead the Trojans to the state football championship. All of his success led him to be a highly sought after recruit.

The recruiting process for Robinson was a strange one. His carousel between Florida and Clemson baffled many. Robinson first decided to commit to Clemson in July between his junior and senior years. After the football regular season was over, he decided to switch his allegiance to Florida. Five days later, Robinson flipped back to Clemson. Going into the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he still hadn’t officially decided where to go despite wanting to enroll early. Robinson announced at the all-star game that he would attend UF and enrolled the very next day. Gator fans rejoiced with Robinson’s choice to play for the team he grew up rooting for. Florida was getting a four-star prospect, ranked as the ninth WR, seventh Georgian, and 77th overall of the 2013 recruiting class, according to 247Sports composite rankings. And with Robinson’s talent came the hype.

After an impressive spring and fall practice in which Gator defensive backs were praising Robinson as the “greatest freshman wide-out” they’ve ever played against and “the best [WR] I’ve seen in person.” All that praise resulted in a sub-par season in which Robinson was suspended for the Tennessee, Georgia Southern, and Florida State games for violation of team rules and played in only seven games. He was able to catch five balls for 23 yards. Now, Robinson is a year older, that much wiser, and has matured into the player Florida thought they were getting the entire time.

Recently, video popped up of Robinson catching six punts at once.

It’s just one example of Robinson’s eye-popping, freakish athleticism and ability. With his 4.39 40 time, lengthy frame, and hands the size of baseball mitts, he has all the tools to become a fantastic college and NFL receiver. His hometown, Fort Valley, GA, is the same place where Gator great Jacquez Green hails from. Green had a pretty impressive career in the Orange and Blue, but Robinson’s skills and measureables could make him even more dangerous. He’s also got family that can guide him along the way to NFL riches. His uncle. Marcus Robinson, played for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, and Minnesota Vikings. The scary part for opposing defenses? Robinson now has the maturity to go along with his ability to breakdown the secondary.

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