Coach's corner: OU commit Xavier Robinson

OU running back commit Xavier Robinson bet on himself, and he won. Robinson, from Midwest City (Okla.) Carl Albert, was determined to prove he could be a running back at the next level.

There was some skepticism, but he kept at it. Nobody is doubting him now. He’s heading to Oklahoma and won over head coach Brent Venables.

All Robinson did was rush for 2,594 yards and 39 touchdowns last season. He averaged 9.4 yards per carry and 185.3 yards per game. Breaking it down even more, he rushed for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns in the four playoff games. The Titans earned yet another state championship.

SoonerScoop.com caught up with Carl Albert head coach Mike Dunn following Robinson’s commitment ceremony to get some insight on OU’s newest running back pledge.

Xavier is not a linebacker, huh? He bet on himself at running back and won, what was that process like?

“It’s funny because he proved me wrong, too. I wouldn’t say he proved me wrong. But whenever he was a sophomore, I remember telling him, hey, you really need to take linebacker seriously. I knew what kind of talent he was at running back. I was looking at it from a recruiting standpoint. People are going to see you and the first thing they’re going to think is does he play linebacker? They’re going to come. And I think your ceiling might be a little higher there. Coach, I’ll do it. He’s one of those guys who will do whatever you ask him to do. He played a little bit of linebacker last year.

“But he said I really want to play running back at the next level. In my head, I’m thinking, though, the ceiling is at linebacker. Then halfway through the year last year, I remember telling anybody that asked if he was a linebacker? He’s a running back. He can play for anybody in the country. He’s proved himself. He’s a running back all the way.”

First see the potential?

“When we first started, he came here as a sophomore. You could see the raw talent. You could see the athletic ability. He was a big kid. All these guys that played against him as middle school started showing us videos of him. He was like famous for his videos. He was really big as a middle school guy too. He’s got something. Then seeing how fast he was. That’s when all of us (changed). He has elite-level talent with really good speed for someone who is 225 pounds. Through his sophomore year, you could see something was there for him at the next level.”

Maturity off the field? Fitting in at OU?

“Two years ago, I don’t know if he would have sat up here and talked like he did. He probably would have been shorter. He’s come out of his shell big time, respectful. Great with teachers and counselors. He’s great with kids and the little kid camps and makes them feel like they’re the best people in the room. He makes people feel good around him. Two years ago, I don’t know if he would have been as outward with that. He’s grown as a well-rounded and good human being.”

What’s his presence going to mean in 2023?

“Really big for us. We have some talented kids, but they’re younger. He’s the one that has the accolades, but he has four of his five offensive linemen coming back. They love him. He loves them just as much. He sets that tone.

“Sometimes when you have that type of stuff going on, they might not remember how they got that. He’s the first one to talk about the line or the coaches and everybody else around him. He always gives credit to the guys that got him there.

“He’s a great leader, does everything right for us. He’s not a kid who has always had it easy. His mom has had to work. He’s had to be self-motivated to get out of bed when mom is working. He does that. He’s here on time. He works hard and really proud of him and the kid he has become.”