Robinson's return has Gators hopeful he has turned corner and is finally ready to fulfill potential
Friday, September 5, 2014 | Football, Scott Carter
Sophomore Demarcus Robinson remains a pivotal part of Florida's plans on offense. (Photo: Tim Casey)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- He had been on campus for about a month when posed with a modest question.
In his mind, what was the ideal scenario for him heading into his first season at UF?
Receiver Demarcus Robinson, considered a potential jewel of Florida's 2013 recruiting class, answered the way you might expect from a young player still trying to find his way around.
"Just to get good with the plays and try to get on the field early and show the people what I can do," he said.
More than a year and half later Robinson's answer still connects easily to the state of his career.
As the Gators prepare to face Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Robinson's career totals read like this: seven games, five catches, five DNPs, three suspensions.
Robinson's most meaningful contribution to the Gators is a 10-yard catch on third-and-9 in Florida's win at Kentucky last season. The reception kept the Gators' 93-yard scoring drive alive and provided a brief glimpse why the 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver from Peach County (Ga.) High was such a hot commodity coming out of high school.
Due to maturity issues and violation of team rules Robinson was suspended for Florida's SEC opener against Tennessee and the final two games of last season. He opened his sophomore season suspended for a university sanction that has been resolved.
On Monday Gators coach Will Muschamp said Robinson and defensive linemen Darious Cummings and Jay-nard Bostwick are eligible to play Saturday -- Cummings and Bostwick were suspended for violation of team rules a week ago.
Robinson is the player Florida fans are clamoring to see.
Is this the year Robinson proves he is as good as they said he was in high school?
Through all the turbulence of his brief time at UF, his teammates and coaches continue to support Robinson and urge him to get his act together.
"I do honestly think that Demarcus is a good guy," quarterback Jeff Driskel said this week. "Sometimes he's made poor decisions in the past, but I think he's matured a lot. He did everything he could to help the team out this past week, knowing that he wasn't going to play. And that takes a mature guy to do that and not hang your head.
"I think he's going to help us out a lot this year. He's a guy we're going to have to count on."
Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves says Robinson is the most difficult receiver to cover in practice. Teammates tell stories about his acrobatic dunks on the basketball court. And Muschamp, despite his frustration with Robinson over the past 18 months, remains one of his most stout supporters.
"I love Demarcus, he's a great kid," Muschamp said. "Now, just because you make a couple of poor decisions doesn't make you a bad person. He certainly has learned from these situations and will move forward. I've told the players all the time, help me help you. And if they are willing to work with me we're willing to work with them."
First-year offensive coordinator Kurt Roper is pulling for Robinson. Roper knows that when Robinson is on the field and his head into the game, he provides the Gators' revamped up-tempo offense with an alluring weapon.
In Roper's short time with the Gators he has seen a player ready to contribute more than five catches for 23 yards like last season.
"He's a guy that's really working hard to improve himself, if that makes sense,'' Roper said. "And that's not always easy to go through some challenges that he's been through. To say this, I think he's working to try and be a better person all the time. And he empties the bucket when we go to the practice field, so I appreciate the way he works. Obviously, as a coaching staff, we're here to help him grow."
Based on what Muschamp, Roper and Driskel said this week, Robinson's support system is as strong as ever.
The rest appears up to him.
"He's had a 3.0 [grade-point average] the last two semesters at the University of Florida. He's worked extremely hard academically,'' Muschamp said. "He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's a wonderful man to be around. He's got a smile on his face all the time.
"As far as football is concerned it's never been an issue. Demarcus works extremely hard on the field. Football is very important to him. Sometimes guys mature at different times and he's gone through that process."
Robinson is second on the depth chart behind Quinton Dunbar at the X-receiver spot. With a chance to get back on the field Saturday, maybe Robinson will finally develop into the X-factor the Gators' offense has been waiting on.
