2023 RB Durell Robinson follows Biff Poggi, commits to Charlotte

Baltimore (M.D.) St. Frances Academy running back Durell Robinson knows Biff Poggi as a legend. He staked his college football future on Poggi’s ability as a coach.

Robinson announced his commitment to UNC-Charlotte on Tuesday night at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Charlotte beat out Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College and multiple Power Five programs to land the No. 533 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings. Poggi was the head coach of St. Frances Academy from 2017-2020.

Robinson feels Charlotte can give him everything he needs to be successful. Poggi made an impression on Robinson during his official visit. That’s where he sold Robinson.

“Coach Biff (Poggi) is a legend in my area,” Robinson told On3. “He’s known for going to programs such as St. Frances that are 0-12 and flipping them to the number one team in the country. Everyone says it’s different at the college level and he might be able to do it again. The guys that he’s shown me and the guys that I was on my official visit with are just as hungry to win as me. It doesn’t get any better than that with a hungry group. All of a sudden this is just as good as a Power Five. We have everything that they have. With those guys and our heart, our will to win, I don’t think many schools are going to be able to stop us in the coming years.”

Robinson was once committed to Boston College. He felt different about that decision.

“I’m happy,” Robinson said. “I didn’t have that same feeling with Boston College. Now, I’m happy. I’m ready to work. They’ve really put that fire back in me like I had when I was a 5 or 6-year-old trying to get to high school. That’s back in me. I’m ready to work.”

Durell Robinson knows the NFL can find him if they want him

Robinson doesn’t feel like he’s hurting his NFL stock by playing in the American Conference rather than a Power Five program.

Robison sees abundant opportunity.

“A name doesn’t trigger me like that, I feel like I made the best decision for me that can get me to where I want to be,” Robinson said. “I’m going to be playing against the top dogs. I’ve just got to do my part and my draft stock will go up every week… I can go win, and make a change at a school. As long as I take care of my part in school, the NFL will take care of itself. They’ll go find their players.”

Robinson is already signed and set to enroll on Jan. 8 at Charlotte.