He checks in at 6’4” 215lbs, and is a menacing figure to look at on the field. It’s not uncommon for him to tower above opposing defenders by two to three inches, if not more, and he is in the process of learning how to utilize that height to his advantage. The son of NBA legend David Robinson, Corey Robinson is looking to carve his own path, but do so in an entirely different sport.
The young man from Texas has been a fan favorite since showing up in South Bend, and his father sitting on the sidelines every game hasn’t hurt his reception with the Irish fan base either. Now it’s time though for him to become Corey Robinson, Notre Dame wide receiver, not just Corey Robinson, son of David Robinson.
In his freshmen year, Robinson played in all 13 games for Notre Dame, and grabbed 9 catches for 157 yards in the process. At times he looked awkward and unsure of himself, but one could see the talent and the ability that Notre Dame coaches Mike Denbrock and Kerry Cooks saw, when they initially started recruiting him. The 6’4” wide out wasn’t a highly sought after recruit, in fact Robinson had only seven offers, and the Notre Dame offer was by far the most prestigious. Robinson was rated for most of his recruitment as a three-star wide receiver, but that didn’t dissuade the Irish from making him a priority early on.
Going into his sophomore year, there was an excitement or buzz about what Corey could potentially bring to the table, and that was only enhanced by the 6-0 start to the 2014 season. While many expected a true breakout season last year, maybe unfairly, the numbers were nice, but not at the level that many were hoping for, or expected.
When it was time to step up though, he did just that tallying 8 catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns, against Florida State on the ABC Saturday night game – numbers that should have included another catch and another touchdown had it not been for that fateful, unquestionable call.
We would also see him put up similar number against Syracuse earlier in the year. One also has to factor into the equation, the struggles behind center for the Notre Dame offense. How much did the regression of starting quarterback Everett Golson effect him in the second half of the season? We truly may never know, but it didn’t seem to have a tremendous impact on teammate Will Fuller, who put up strong numbers during the same exact period.
Having 40 catches for 539 yards, and five touchdowns in your sophomore season is nothing to ashamed of, and is a strong foundation to build on, that’s a given. If the Irish can get the quarterback situation solidified, and bring stability back to the offensive side the ball, it bodes well for Robinson. Also, having Will Fuller, a healthy Tori Hunter, Chris Brown, and adding Justin Brent into the mix, the Irish could be potent when it comes to catching the ball. Robinson should greatly benefit from that.
Not only is it no secret that Brian Kelly would like to get Corey Robinson more involved in the offense, he has publicly come out and said just that. As the 2015 season approaches it would seem how much Robinson is involved in the Irish offense will be up to him. As he enters his junior season, the staff and fans alike, are hoping for him not necessarily to transform his game, but rather have it evolve. Primarily thought of now as simply a red-zone threat because his size, the young wide receiver needs to understand how to become an every down threat. There is no denying Robinson’s talent, demeanor, lineage, and intelligence. Blend that all together and you come up with exactly what Brian Kelly is looking for, a potential All-American candidate who can take over a game when needed.
Corey Robinson suffered a fractured thumb last Fall and he was still wearing a cast into October, if I recall correctly.
Robinson was absurdly sure-handed since the day he arrived as an early entrant frosh. Corey drew gasps from the coaches in the coaching clinic and throught the Spring practice right after he arrived.
While we ought not traffic in excuses, it would seem plausible that the proximate cause of Robinson’s drops in 2014 was the thumb and not other factors. We shall see.
I love his size but listing Cory Robinson at 6’4″ 215 is based off last year’s info. I’m sure the kid hasn’t stopped eating, lifting, or growing.
Which brings us to another part of a receivers game… Blocking. Down field blocking.
I see an on field mentality in Robinson that reminds me a lot of what Michael Floyd had. Toughness, tenacity, persistence.
Floyd ran great routes, got separation, had great hands, was able to pick up yards after the catch, but the kid could also block, and you could see that he took great pride and joy in doing so.
Having receivers that have the size, skill, ability, and desire to block, is one of those little things that can make a huge difference.
It’s often the difference between 4th down and a first down. A good play to a great play.
Cory Robinson wants to do whatever he can to help his team win, and this is one area where I think he could excel.
re: last sentence/paragraph, that’s EXACTLY what a 21st-Century “NotreDame Athlete” would be. Cory is a prototype. And that, my friends, rocks!
Correction, a Nota Dame athlete.
RIGHT YOU ARE! A good bostonian! (we must assert our superiority!)
He and his family are a great representation of Notre Dame! Young men like him remind me of why Notre Dame is a such special place and the greatest university in the US! GO Irish!
No doubt, Cory has a world of talent and played well last year. I am surprised that he dropped some passes at times last year. Wonder if that was mainly due to the hand injury he suffered.
Pete – do you think BK will give total control to the new OC?