The trend of basketball players moving over to the gridiron continues to gain traction. Just last year at this time, a little-known recruit named Demetrius Jackson had decided to give football a try. In less than a year, Jackson blossomed into one of the top prospects in the country and became a consensus 4-star recruit who is on his way to Miami.
One of the major reasons Jackson was able to progress so quickly was because of the help of his coaches at Booker T. Washington. The same program that molded Jackson has taken on another project, Ronique Robinson. Robinson (2015) is a 6-7, 240-pound defensive end who recently transferred from La Salle, where he focused almost exclusively on basketball.
“Last year was my first year playing in high school. I had played little league, but then in like 6th grade I got too big so I just switched to basketball,” Robinson explained.
Robinson said that the football coaches at La Salle encouraged him to take up football, so he did so. He explained his move to Booker T.
“It was my home school plus I was tired of losing. I am committed to football now,” said Robinson. “As soon as I got to Booker T, coaches have been coming and seeing my size and are immediately interested. It feels good knowing that being at a different school can give me more opportunities.”
Due to his size and athleticism, Robinson has some versatility on the field.
“I can stand up or play D-End. I will probably play both defensive end and a little bit of goal-line tight end too.”
Robinson is sure to have multiple offers as spring football carries on, but for now there is a select group who has reached out.
“I know Miami is very interested and so is Florida State and Minnesota. It’s all a surprise to me because when I was at La Salle, this wasn’t happening at all.”
I spoke to Booker T. Washington Head Coach, Tim Harris, Jr. about his team’s newest toy.
“He has that look, but we just need to get the dog out of him,” said Harris, Jr. “Demetrius looked the same way last year.”
Robinson also listed Oregon, Alabama, and UF as schools he is interested in.
One of the major reasons Jackson was able to progress so quickly was because of the help of his coaches at Booker T. Washington. The same program that molded Jackson has taken on another project, Ronique Robinson. Robinson (2015) is a 6-7, 240-pound defensive end who recently transferred from La Salle, where he focused almost exclusively on basketball.
“Last year was my first year playing in high school. I had played little league, but then in like 6th grade I got too big so I just switched to basketball,” Robinson explained.
Robinson said that the football coaches at La Salle encouraged him to take up football, so he did so. He explained his move to Booker T.
“It was my home school plus I was tired of losing. I am committed to football now,” said Robinson. “As soon as I got to Booker T, coaches have been coming and seeing my size and are immediately interested. It feels good knowing that being at a different school can give me more opportunities.”
Due to his size and athleticism, Robinson has some versatility on the field.
“I can stand up or play D-End. I will probably play both defensive end and a little bit of goal-line tight end too.”
Robinson is sure to have multiple offers as spring football carries on, but for now there is a select group who has reached out.
“I know Miami is very interested and so is Florida State and Minnesota. It’s all a surprise to me because when I was at La Salle, this wasn’t happening at all.”
I spoke to Booker T. Washington Head Coach, Tim Harris, Jr. about his team’s newest toy.
“He has that look, but we just need to get the dog out of him,” said Harris, Jr. “Demetrius looked the same way last year.”
Robinson also listed Oregon, Alabama, and UF as schools he is interested in.
