One of the big college football bowl games takes place on Tuesday and features an aspiring talent in Denard Robinson.
The University of Michigan quarterback leads his Wolverines against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Sugar Bowl. The contest takes place in New Orleans at 8.30pm.
Robinson is a gifted hurler who has athletic ability akin to Cam Newton, the Carolina Panthers’ 2011 number one pick in the NFL Draft. The junior has been tempted to go pro and enter the April 2012 Draft but maintains he wants another season to fine-tune his skills.
“I did submit paperwork to the NFL draft advisory board,” Robinson said. “We’ll see what happens. More than likely, yes I will plan to return to Michigan in 2012.
“A year under my belt is going to help me a lot. I think I can do some special things next year.”
After last season, a coaching change almost nudged Robinson out of Ann Arbor. One of the reasons he signed with Michigan is because former coach Rich Rodriguez promised him a shot at quarterback. In 2011 he dealt with a new system under coach Brady Hoke.
For all of the Newton comparisons, Robinson is 6ft tall and weighs 195 pounds, hardly the body type of quarterbacks coveted by NFL general managers. Also working against him are footwork and accuracy issues. In 12 games, he’s thrown 14 interceptions. But he has the potential to be a difference maker as he has totalled 2,865 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns the last two years.
Pundits debate whether he is the next Tim Tebow or is better suited at running back, receiver, or kick returner. He certainly has Tebow’s resilience, ending the year on a high note after a mid-season slump compounded by a staph infection and an injury to his right (throwing) hand.
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