Exclusive: 3-Star 2020 Florida DB Jahquez Robinson Talks Alabama Verbal Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The recruitment of Sandalwood High School cornerback/defensive back Jahquez Robinson (6-2, 180) is a great reminder to all college football programs about jumping on a talented recruit early and not waiting to forge the all-too important bond between player and coach. Robinson showed out against Florida 8A competition leading to a frenzy along the recruiting trail once the 2018 schedule had been completed. The offer sheet continued to add one top Power 5 team after another hitting 25 heading into an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend. On Saturday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban closed the deal on Robinson landing a verbal commitment from one of the best in the Sunshine State leaving the rest out in the cold.
In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with Robinson shortly after he posted his announcement on Twitter to get the inside scoop on how Alabama became his ideal fit.
*Click link for Feb. 3, 2019, RNG interview with Jahquez Robinson
Interview
Jahquez, congratulations on your commitment to Alabama.
“Thank you.”
When you visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday, what all did you do?
“We did everything. We toured the academic center, football facilities, the dorms, and the weight room. I talked to all the coaches and I got to go inside Coach Saban’s office. We did everything.”
What impressed you about the coaching staff?
“I was impressed with how much of a family feel it has there. The coaches were not uptight, they were down to earth. Coach Saban and Coach Sal (Sunseri – OLB) were great. Coach (Charles) Kelly (safeties) offered me, but Coach Saban offered me a commit-able offer. I was happy to commit.”
How do they see you fitting into their defensive scheme?
“That is one thing we are not sure about yet. Coach Saban asked me to come to camp this summer to see me at safety and at corner to evaluate me to see my best fit.”
At what point did you know that Alabama was your ideal fit?
“After talking to my parents and to Coach Saban about the academics, he is big on me getting my degree. He told me if you are not a Top 35 pick, you should finish school and get your degree because of the guaranteed monies. He reminded me, football ends at some point, then you will need your degree.”
When did you verbally commit to the staff?
“I committed on Saturday, in Coach Saban’s office.”
I want to set the moment. You were in Coach Saban’s office, in the middle of a great visit at one of the top programs in the nation – what was that moment like for you just before you verbally committed?
“It was crazy. He was talking to us for about seven minutes straight. Then there was a silence and I started talking. Coach Saban is staring at me and listening to me. I was in shock. It was a great moment. That is when I said, “Coach, I want to commit. He said, “great.” It felt amazing.”
What was the moment like after you committed and he accepted your commitment?
“I was smiling. I had just made a big life time decision. I felt I had made a decision on the best spot for me. I was happy and my family was happy. I did not really understand it all until a couple of days later – it was such a big moment and a big commitment. Alabama is one of the schools everyone dreams about playing for in college. It was a huge decision and a surreal moment.”
Now that a dream of yours has been accomplished, how do you feel knowing you will get to earn your degree and play football at Alabama?
“It is like a dream come true. But, I know I have to keep working. There are a lot of great athletes there. There are a lot of great athletes on the field with you trying to get playing time. Nothing is given to you at Alabama, you have to earn it.”
When do you plan to visit Alabama again?
“I should be back for a spring practice, a game or two during the season, a camp this summer, and for my official visit.”
Jahquez, congratulations again on your commitment and thank you for your time today.
“Thank you.”
Robinson’s Offer Sheet (25): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Duke, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Central Florida, Florida International, Nebraska, Mississippi State, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Purdue, Ole Miss, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
Verbal Commitment: Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019 – announced on Feb. 18
Photo credit: Robinson family; Jahquez Robinson at Alabama (Feb. 16)