THE COMMITMENT: Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County defensive end Joshua Robinson committed to Georgia Tech over a host of other schools, but mainly Duke, Stanford and Vanderbilt. The decision came a little sooner than Robinson expected, but after a video call Tuesday, he knew he was ready to make his decision.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: "I made up my mind that Georgia Tech was the right school Tuesday when we were on a virtual tour," said Robinson. "I was talking with all the coaches, I was having a great time, and that is when I knew it was it was the school for me.
"It hit me during the tour. When the head coach Geoff Collins came in, and he started talking to me about everything I could do for the team, I was like yeah, it is my time.
"I actually called the coaches back about five minutes after we finished the tour to commit to them. I told them during the tour that I was going to commit in July, so I don't think they were expecting me to commit this soon.
"Before the virtual tour, Georgia Tech was in my top three, but then after the tour, they were No. 1.
"One take-away from the virtual tour was that I could play early if I came in and enrolled early. Another thing was what I can do on and off the field there. Then it was the coaches — the coaches are the best I have seen in a long time.
"I am closest to coach Marco Coleman. We talk every day on the phone. It is great that he has been there, played there and I believe he can show me the way to get better as a player and to make it to the NFL.
"I feel complete with this decision. My recruitment is finally over and I feel like I have made the best decision for me.
"Georgia Tech is close to home, their team is on the come up and I feel strong about Georgia Tech."
WHAT GEORGIA TECH IS GETTING: Robinson is an athletic rush end with with speed and length. He is a big athlete with good bend and agility. He is still growing into his frame and developing his game at the defensive end position. Robinson is far from a finished product, and that is one thing that stands out about his game. He makes a lot of plays off athleticism and his ability to out-quick the offensive lineman in front of him. He is only going to get better. He will improve his get-off, his hand usage, his ability to shed blocks and overall technique when he gets to Atlanta. Robinson is a guy who stands out due to size and athleticism. He is a defensive playmaker with raw talent, athleticism and upside. He is a player who could project as a weakside end or stand-up linebacker on the next level. Georgia Tech will have a lot to work with.
WHY THIS IS BIG FOR THE YELLOW JACKETS: One of the biggest areas Georgia Tech needs help at is pressuring the quarterback. It is a passing game now, so speed off the edge is crucial if you want to be good defensively. Robinson is going to give the Yellow Jackets an edge rusher with real potential. He is a long athlete with flexibility that could give Georgia Tech pass rusher early on. Keeping this one at home is big. Maybe in the past, a player like Robinson goes to another ACC, SEC or Pac 12 program that is comparable to Georgia Tech, but these in-state kids want to play for Geoff Collins and the new staff on the Flats. This is so key as the Yellow Jackets are looking to turn things around. Robinson also comes out of Douglas County, and under Johnny White, they have been producing Power 5 talent on a regular basis. This is another in-state program that could see more Georgia Tech recruits develop in the coming years. Having this connection will only help in the future.
