Robinson ready to carry the load

Committing early in the recruiting process is either a blessing or a curse. For many players they view it as a blessing because they can not worry about their futures. Other often wonder if the grass is greener on the other side. Lewisville (Texas) Hebron four-star athlete and Texas Longhorn commitment Derke Robinson is smack dab in the middle of both emotions.

"I'm still very solid to Texas," Robinson of Lewisville (Texas) Hebron said.

"I feel comfortable with them. I feel right at home, and I've always wanted to play there. It's been tough with other major schools coming at me, but I'm still very committed to them. The whole thing is a lot of fun, though."

And that fun has kept the door slightly cracked for other programs pursuing him.

"I tell those teams that right now I'm committed to Texas, but I'd like to see their school," Robinson said. "I wouldn't mind looking around a little bit. I want to take visits, because I've never seen schools away from Texas, but the coaches at Texas told me I can't.

"If I decide to take some visits I'll probably go to Arizona, Florida, and maybe USC. I'll probably end up taking at least one visit."

That train of thought has made for some interesting conversations between Robinson, ranked as the No. 31 player in Texas, and the Texas coaches.

"I talk to the Texas coaches every week," he said. "They basically tell me to stay strong with my commitment and keep hitting the books. They tell me to be ready to work hard and lead my team to a good season."

Robinson, 6-foot and 193 pounds, is listed by Rivals.com as an athlete, but he has no doubt that he wants to carry the football in college.

"I'll play running back at Texas," Robinson said. "I've been a running back my whole life, and I wouldn't want to play anything else. I hope to get on campus and get the starting spot and playing running back for the rest of my college and, hopefully, pro career."

Robinson is working hard at getting ready for his senior season and also getting ready to make the leap to college. When he's not in summer school classes, he's spent countless hours working out with his father and playing some seven-on-seven ball this summer.

"I feel very strongly I will come in and play early," Robinson said. "I love to compete. I will work extremely hard to be the number-one running back. And hopefully, if I stay healthy I'll be able to fulfill a lifelong dream of winning the Heisman as a freshman at the University of Texas."

Robinson said he brings a lot to the table that gives him the edge over other backs.

"My unique advantage is I can do pretty much everything," he said. "I can outrun you, shake you, get the tough yardage and I can block. I have it all and most running backs don't have that. Don't get me wrong, there is great talent at Texas, but when it comes down to it, I can do it great and score anywhere on the field."