SAN ANTONIO, Tex. -- For 2013 Texas Longhorns commit A'Shawn Robinson, the recruiting process hasn't exactly been pleasurable. Or at least that's the perception, since he rarely gives interviews when he isn't at major events.
A’Shawn Robinson: Mother won’t impact decision
Despite rumors to the contrary, the five-star Texas commit said on Monday following practice in preparation for the 2013 US Army All-American Bowl that his decision is his alone to make.
The 2013 US Army All-American Bowl is one such big event, so Robinson has been available in recent days to provide some perspective on his recruitment.
Committed to Texas since February, Robinson has been taking visits throughout the fall and still has two remaining -- to Alabama on January 18th and to Austin the following weekend.
The Crimson Tide just win championships, Robinson said when asked his interest in that particular school. And he’s ready to get a better impression of the school and the coaches and the players.
Despite taking trips to USC, Florida State, and a game at TCU, though, Robinson has consistently maintained that he is solidly committed to Texas, which he has done in San Antonio as well.
One of those big visits was out to USC back in December.
“Meeting the players and the coaches, it was pretty cool,” said Robinson. “I thought it was pretty cool hanging out with some of the commits and stuff.”
Safety pledge Su’a Cravens remarked afterwards that Robinson had been quite happy to be there, something of a surprising revelation given the low-key demeanor of the 6-5, 300-pound defensive tackle.
A longtime USC fan, Robinson has been spent in the Los Angeles area previously and said that he’s been watching the Trojans ever since he started watching football.
One of the prominent rumors that emerged from that trip was that Robinson’s mother wants him to stay close to home, in the state of Texas.
Asked if that was the case, Robinson narrowed his eyes for a second and was clear with his statement.
“No, she doesn’t want to keep me in Texas, she wants me to go anywhere that I want to go,” he declared. “Wherever I go, getting a free education is the most important thing because football won’t last forever.”
Perhaps that’s simply what any prospect would say faced with such a question, but there’s no denying the vehemence behind those words.
There are also a handful of Texas commits participating in the Army game and even more USC pledges, so there are plenty of guys who could have some vested interest in getting in his ear about their respective programs. Robinson said that hasn’t been the case.
“Oh yeah, I’ve been talking to be them because I know them and we’re cool with each other. We don’t really talk about schools, just our likes and hanging out. Just cracking jokes, being kids.”
And with the increased media pressure and scrutiny, those opportunities for major recruits are becoming increasingly rare and far between -- the postseason all-star games represent a chance for prospects to come together with other players that know what it’s like to have so many interview requests all the time, so much dissection of every comment and rumor.
In just over a month's time, Robinson will be able to sign with the school of choice and can go back to just focusing on football.
Before then, he’ll take two big visits that could change the course of his recruitment.
