Orange lands big, tall QB

Strong-armed Andrew Robinson of Baltimore picks SU over Wisconsin

Quarterback Andrew Robinson of Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore has made a verbal commitment to sign with the Syracuse University football team in 2006.
Robinson is 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds. He picked the Orange over an offer from Wisconsin and made his choice after participating in a one-day clinic at SU last Friday.
The two primary recruiters for Robinson were assistant Chris White of Syracuse an assistant Brian White of Wisconsin. They are brothers. - College Football -
"It's kind of funny," Robinson said of the competitive siblings. "They weren't going to say anything bad about one another. They'd joke around about it, but nothing serious."
Calvert Hall coach Jay Robinson (no relation) said Maryland was on the verge of offering a scholarship to Robinson but was waiting on a decision from quarterback Jeremy Ricker of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pa. Robinson said Duke and Boston College were also primed to make scholarship offers.
Andrew Robinson said Syracuse coaches tell him he is the only quarterback they plan to sign in 2006. He said he committed to the Orange because he likes the direction of the program and compatibility of the offense to his abilities. - College Football -
"From the get-go, the first time I visited (in March), I loved the energy of the staff," Robinson said. "I'm excited because I'm the kind of quarterback they said they need - big, tall, accurate, strong arm, makes good decisions.
"They said they're only going to sign one and it's me. They said they definitely needed to sign a quarterback that fits their style, that's a good leader. They said that's pretty much the main need for this class. They didn't sign one last year. That's a good thing for me. I'll be the oldest quarterback by the time I'll be a redshirt sophomore."
Robinson was banned by his parents from playing football until his freshman year of high school. He played defensive end initially until coaches saw him throwing on the sidelines. He was converted to quarterback and started all six games on the freshman team. He was elevated to starting quarterback on varsity early into his sophomore season.
Jay Robinson said a signature moment for Robinson was his first play after making the decision to switch quarterbacks. - College Football -
"There was a turnover and we were on the 20-yard line," Jay Robinson said. "Not knowing Andrew was going into the game, I said 'let's throw this fade.' And then when we made the change of quarterbacks, I said, 'never mind.' Andrew grabbed my arm and said, 'no, no throw the fade.' He did. He called it. It was a touchdown.
"He's not bashful. He wants to compete and do well."
Andrew Robinson completed 99-of-201 passes last season as a junior for 1,200 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. Robinson said he can throw a football 66 or 67 yards.
Jay Robinson called Robinson "a fierce competitor" who is not afraid to run the ball or take on tacklers. Robinson praised Robinson's leadership skills. He said Robinson took over a senior-dominated team as a sophomore and earned its respect immediately. He said Robinson now spends his workout time in the weight room with freshmen in order to show younger players the ropes.
"Everybody looks up to him," Jay Robinson said. "He's a tough hombre. He never shies away from the pocket. He'll take a hit and bounce right back up."
Calvert Hall competes in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association, which is a group of private schools divided into three divisions. Calvert Hall plays in Class A or the largest group.
Robinson was named first-team All-Conference, second-team All-Baltimore County and honorable mention All-State last season. - College Football -

Jay Robinson said Andrew Robinson is as good as any quarterback he's coached and that includes his 19 years at Towson State where he coached Dan Crowley, a former standout in the Canadian Football League.
"Andrew is the best quarterback in the state," said Jay Robinson. "I've had all the guys at (the University of) Maryland tell me that. They were trying to hold Andrew off. I don't think it mattered if they'd offered or if Virginia offered. As soon as he went to Syracuse and met Coach (Greg) Robinson and the quarterback coach, that was it. He really liked the place.
Andrew Robinson said he's made unofficial visits this spring to Maryland, Syracuse, Virginia, Connecticut, Duke, North Carolina State, North Carolina, Louisville, Boston College, Penn State, Georgia Tech and Wisconsin. While all those schools offered strong opportunities, Robinson said he kept coming back to his feelings for Syracuse.
"I think the timing is perfect," Robinson said "I couldn't find a better quarterback situation in the country than this. My style of play kind of fits what they're trying to do. If it had been the old system, I wouldn't fit into it.

Donnie Webb