2024 5-star CB Ellis Robinson IV announces top five schools

New Haven (Conn.) IMG Academy five-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV has received 32 offers. He is ready to cut that list down massively.

Robinson IV announced his top five schools on Saturday. They are Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, LSU and Miami.

“I’d say they really made me feel like the priority,” Robinson IV told On3.

Robinson IV called it “really tough” to cut down his list from 10 to five programs. This decision moved him one step closer to announcing his commitment, which he shared will come before his senior season.

The five-star could “possibly be committing soon,” but for now, he is unsure of an exact date. Robinson IV plans to take his time before revealing his college destination.

“The relationship with the coaches really, I’d say that’s probably the main thing,” Robinson IV, the No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 cornerback in the 2024 On300, said about when he will be ready to announce his commitment. “Just everything’s right and I feel more comfortable being somewhere than another place and that’s when I feel like I’ll make my decision.”

Robinson IV is only taking official visits going forward. He already knows what he is looking for in a school.

“Definitely the relationship and comfortability,” Robinson IV said. “I want to be comfortable wherever I go. I’m gonna be there for the next three-to-four years, so I just want to make sure that I’m comfortable with the staff, comfortable with the players and everything there.”

Alabama and Georgia have Robinson IV’s attention

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Alabama is leading for Robinson IV’s commitment at 62%. A key reason for his interest in the Crimson Tide is cornerbacks coach Travaris Robinson.

“I’d definitely say coach T-Rob plays a big part in that,” Robinson IV said about Alabama being included in his top five. “The relationship that I’ve built with him, I feel like ever since he was at Miami, it’s just gotten bigger and bigger from there.”

Robinson IV has a friend and former high school teammate heading to Tuscaloosa. Chesapeake (Va.) IMG Academy five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks, the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus, signed with Alabama on Dec. 22. The Connecticut native believes that Ricks’ decision will help the Crimson Tide in his recruitment.

“Definitely,” Robinson IV said. “It makes me feel more comfortable being there, knowing that Des is gonna be there if I choose to go there.”

Georgia has the next-highest odds on the RPM for Robinson IV’s commitment at 33.2%. Like the Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs have hosted him three times.

Kirby Smart‘s program signed multiple IMG players this cycle, including four-star EDGE Samuel M’Pemba and four-star defensive lineman Gabriel Harris. Multiple aspects of Georgia stand out to Robinson IV.

“It’s really like a family over there,” Robinson IV said. “I like (co-defensive coordinator Will) Muschamp, (head) coach Kirby Smart. It feels like home when I’m there and everything. It just feel(s) good.”

Another Georgia coach Robinson IV is close with is defensive backs coach Fran Brown. According to the five-star, Brown is one of the “biggest” reasons for his interest in the Bulldogs.

“When he first was at Rutgers, I was highly interested in Rutgers and then it just carried over from him going from Rutgers to Georgia,” Robinson IV said. “I feel he plays a big part in why I’m so interested in Georgia.”

LSU and Miami are pushing hard for Robinson IV

Robinson IV took an unofficial visit to LSU on Dec. 17. That day, the Tigers defeated Mississippi State 31-16.

“From the food to the people out there, it’s just different,” Robinson IV said. “It was probably one of my favorite visits that I’ve ever went on.

LSU is making Robinson IV a top priority in the 2024 cycle. He is currently in contact with multiple staffers, including head coach Brian Kelly, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples and recruiting specialist Jordan Arcement.

The five-star feels something unique in Baton Rouge. His experience inside Tiger Stadium still stands out to him.

“That atmosphere was lit,” Robinson IV said. “It was crazy, it was loud. It was just wild and it was great to be at one of the games.”

Miami is working hard for Robinson IV’s commitment, as well. The five-star has a close relationship with defensive analyst Demarcus Van Dyke, the Hurricanes’ cornerbacks coach under Manny Diaz who was retained by current head coach Mario Cristobal.

“I’ve built a good relationship with him over the past couple of months,” Robinson IV said of Van Dyke. “Ever since my first time going to Miami, he made me feel like a priority since I’ve been a freshman, so it’s just kept getting bigger and bigger with them too.”

Robinson IV also talks with Cristobal. He believes that Miami’s head man could help him develop on the field.

“He’s a great coach,” Robinson IV said.

Colorado, Deion Sanders have made an early impression on Robinson IV

Colorado offered Robinson IV on Dec. 24. Head coach Deion Sanders is a crucial reason why the Buffaloes made his top five.

“It’s just Deion Sanders, you know?” Robinson IV said. “Just the fact that I know he could develop me and get me better.”

The five-star has been speaking with Colorado “a lot” recently. He talks with Sanders, along with other assistant coaches.

“I’ve been talking to him a lot recently… through messages and everything,” Robinson IV said. “It’s really been good conversations and everything, reaching out to me, me reaching out to them.”