Playing wide receiver at a major college football program has been a learn-on-the-job type of experience for ASU sophomore Gerell Robinson.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound athlete was a coveted do-it-all player during his career at Hamilton High School in Chandler, spending time at quarterback, receiver and running back — pretty much everything short of standing in as the water boy.
The ASU coaching staff decided last season that with his great size and speed, Robinson would be best suited to play wide receiver full time.
“We kind of shoved him into the fire last year,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “I don’t regret that; I think he learned a lot from it.”
Though he caught only three passes for 26 yards as a true freshman, it was clear during spring ball and fall camp that Robinson was growing into his new position — he received a healthy amount of praise during the offseason for the knowledge of the game he was now combining with his raw skill.
But the start of the season didn’t go to plan for the sophomore.
Robinson started the season opener against Idaho State and caught two passes for 30 yards, but he went without a catch in the next two games and saw his playing time decrease in each.
“It was tough. The season didn’t start off the way I planned or how anyone else planned it,” said Robinson, who struggled with some drops early in the year. “But for the most part it wasn’t too bad because I’m in the position I’m in now. You’ve got to learn from the past and take steps toward the future.”
The position he is in now is one that could greatly benefit a Sun Devil offense desperately searching for a spark.
With senior Kyle Williams hampered by injury against Oregon State, Robinson stepped in to grab a career-high six receptions for 58 yards in the loss to the Beavers.
Last week against Washington State, Robinson started in place of injured senior Kerry Taylor and caught three more balls for 35 yards.
The growing pains are still there — Robinson lost a fumble against the Cougars trying to fight for more yardage — but after already quadrupling his production from a season ago, it’s clear the big-bodied receiver is poised to become a go-to weapon for the Sun Devils.
“He’s getting more confidence in what he’s doing,” Erickson said. “He’s learning to run routes, and he’s just getting better.”
Familiar foe
One player opposing Robinson this week will be highly touted Washington freshman cornerback Desmond Trufant, who jumped into the national spotlight after a stellar game against Notre Dame two weeks ago.
Robinson hosted Trufant – the brother of Seattle Seahawk cornerback Marcus Trufant – last year when Trufant made a recruiting visit to ASU.
“He’s a good kid, I like him … but hopefully we can pick on him a little bit,” Robinson said. “Hopefully the size matchup will work in our favor and we’ll be able to get a win. It will be a good matchup.”
Weber to kick?
The recovery process for ASU junior kicker Thomas Weber may be ahead of schedule.
The 2007 Lou Groza award winner, who suffered a groin injury the second week of the season, has been kicking field goals in practice from as far as 42 yards out and could have a chance to play against UW on Saturday.
“He’s kicking it enough to where he could probably kick it to a certain point, but I certainly don’t want to screw around with his leg,” Erickson said. “It will be the old game-time decision deal, what every coach tells you about every player who’s ever been hurt. He’ll go out there [before the game] and try, and we’ll see where he’s at.”
Senior wide receiver Chris McGaha missed his second straight day of practice with the flu, but Erickson said he thinks the team’s leader in receptions will return to practice Thursday.
Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu.
