Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Edward Fieder
After a Detour, Robinson is Ready to Contribute
8/11/2011 2:53:00 PM | Football
When college recruiters came knocking in the winter of 2007, Troy junior receiver Jaquon Robinson narrowed his options to two schools.
The native of Atlanta, Ga., decided to do something different from all of his friends and signed with the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. His second choice was Troy University.
“I had good grades in high school and I wanted to do something different,” Robinson said. “I decided to do the military thing and went to Air Force. I am actually thinking about getting back into ROTC this year.
“After I got there, I didn't feel as if it was the best fit for me between school and football. In June of 2009 I came to Troy and I have been working hard to try to get on the field ever since.”
He came close to getting into the mix for playing time last season after sitting out the 2009 season as a transfer. Going into the final two weeks of training camp he was among the players vying for time at receiver.
“Last year he was in the mix all the way through fall camp, but just didn't quite get into the rotation,” Trojans offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield said. “More than anything, last year was a little like fool's gold. He thought he was going to be in the rotation but those last two scrimmages he did not play his best, he will tell you that, and he got out of the mix.
“What he did from there was he didn't pout. He went to the scout team and worked to get better every day and that has paid off for him.”
Robinson said he has no plans to have a repeat of the disappointment of last year. He is currently running with the first team offense.
“I have put in a lot of hard work,” Robinson said. “My dream was to be a starter when I left high school and I think I am getting close. I am working hard to get better every day.”
His efforts have certainly caught the eyes of the right people.
“He is certainly a guy we feel like we can count on,” head coach Larry Blakeney said. “He has made plays ever since he has been here as a receiver and he is now our holder. I believe he is going to be a factor at receiver.
“He has been a hard-worker. We have never had a problem from him. Since day one he has put in his best effort and he is in position now to help this football team.”
Robinson has also caught the eye of his quarterback.
“He has been out here working hard this summer, picking up his game for a while,” sophomore Corey Robinson said. “He has gotten into the rotation with the ones. He has some really soft hands and is showing that he can make plays.”
Not only is Robinson in position to contribute as a receiver, he has also taken over the holder duties on special teams, a job that Austin Silvoy held for the past several seasons. Knowing that special teams operations are of special interest to the Trojans' head coach, Robinson said he had butterflies the first time he took a knee behind snapper Wes Henry.
“I was the holder in high school, but I was nervous when I first started here,” Robinson said. “I started working with Mikey (Michael Taylor) and Wes back in the spring and they have made it easy. I thought that being left-handed was going to be a problem, but I am supposed to hold with my left hand, so it is perfect.”
Blakeney said he has confidence in his new holder.
“The holder has a pretty difficult task for those kickers and the snapper,” Blakeney said. “He has to catch the short snap, which normally comes in there pretty hot, and get it to the designated spot for the kicker. It is a high velocity performance every time. He has good hands, but he is left handed, so he has to work against his dominant arm. We think he can get it done for us.”
The one certainty is that Robinson understands the discipline it takes to be a college student-athlete after his time at the Air Force Academy.
“It is a whole different universe,” Robinson said. “There is no freedom at all. Everything is scripted and everything is mandatory. It helped with discipline. I think the experience there has helped me since I have been at Troy.”
The discipline and work ethic he has shown is the reason he is in position to contribute this year.
“What he is doing is working hard and doing the details of his assignments,” Edenfield said. “He has been around for a while now and he goes to work every day and is making some plays. The thing he has improved on is that he will battle you blocking. He is not the biggest guy in the world, but he is using the techniques we are teaching.”
The hard work Robinson has put in is all directed toward the only goal he has.
“I knew when I decided to leave Air Force that I wanted to come to Troy because I want to catch the ball and win,” Robinson said. “I just want to win, that is all I want to do.”
Massaquoi Earns Another Pre-Season Honor
Troy junior defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi added to his preseason honors on Tuesday when he was named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List. The Ted Hendricks Award is given annually to the defensive end of the year. Ted Hendricks was a defensive end at Miami, where he was college football's first three-time first-team All-American.
Past winners have included Clemson's Da'quan Bowers (2010), who led the nation with 15.0 sacks, Brian Orakpo (Texas, 2008), LaMarr Woodley (Michigan, 2006) and Elvis Dumervil, (Louisville, 2005).
Clemson's Andre Branch will try to follow in Bowers' footsteps, while West Virginia's Bruce Irvin and Massaquoi will be trying to repeat impressive 2010 campaigns.
Massaquoi was the only player of the 34 named to the watch list from either the Sun Belt Conference or the state of Alabama. The Big Ten Conference led the way with six players on the list, followed by the ACC with five.
Football Appreciation Night/Fan Day
The 2011 Troy Football Appreciation Night is scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The annual fund-raising event for the Trojans Football program will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per couple by calling 334-670-3683 or 334-670-3682.
The 2011 Fan Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 21, at 2 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Members of the football, volleyball, soccer and cross country teams will be on hand, along with the Troy cheerleaders, to pose for pictures and sign autographs. Admission to Fan Day is free and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be available for all fans, while supplies last.
Goose Crowder - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Donnie Smith - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - T-Day
Saturday, April 18
Gerad Parker - April 16
Thursday, April 16