D'antre Robinson explains why he committed to Texas, his relationship with Florida players, and much more
In the latest On Texas Football, 2024 Orlando (Fla.) Jones defensive tackle and Longhorn football commit D’antre Robinson joined Bobby Burton and Gerry Hamilton to talk about his commitment, his recruiting process, what attracts Floridians to Texas, and much more.
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Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound early enrollee told OTF why the Longhorns won out over the Florida Gators.
“The Texas Longhorns made me feel like I was at home at my unofficial visit and my official visit,” Robinson said. “It was a win-win situation for me, and I have a few guys from the Orlando area that go there.”
Those guys from the Orlando area are freshmen Payton Kirkland and Cedric Baxter. Robinson was even teammates with Baxter for a short time.
“We talk all the time,” Robinson said. “He tells me all the time about the school, so that really helped in my recruitment.”
With Robinson at Jones, Kirkland at Dr. Phillips, and Baxter at Edgewater, the three met on the field often. During the video, a clip of Robinson tackling Baxter popped up. Playing against a top talent like Baxter was motivation for Robinson.
“I don’t give it to them as much because they’re my guys, but on the football field I had to talk my smack,” Robinson said. “That’s a play right there from the game, so I had to talk my smack. He was the No. 1 running back at the time, so I had to have a good game.”
Robinson explained where Texas sees him on the field.
“Coach Bo Davis, when we talked, he always tells me he wants to make me super valuable when it comes to the NFL draft,” Robinson said. “He wants me to play not just 3-tech, but he wants me to play outside and inside because he knows that my footwork and the way I move from outside, I could play in or out and I can play on passing downs.”
With Robinson’s commitment, Texas now has four players pledged to the class of 2024 from the Sunshine State. What’s the allure of Texas football for players out of Florida?
“The SEC has to play a role in people’s commitment to Texas from Florida, but the biggest thing for me is they always don’t talk about football,” Robinson said. “They want to talk about your life outside of football, and Austin is definitely a big city. Austin has a lot of opportunity outside of football even if you don’t make it in football. That’s a big thing that really catches a lot of people’s eye.”
Do the Longhorns have buzz in Florida?
“Everyone thinks that Texas is going to be very good in the long run, especially in the next few years with the recruiting class they’re getting,” Robinson said. “Florida guys going to Texas know they have to represent Florida. When people go away from Florida, it just makes the school so much better because of the support system Florida has.”
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The official visit process saw Robinson reunited with his Florida friends, but he also met with a standout at his position on the Longhorn roster.
“I talked to (T’Vondre) Sweat,” Robinson said. “I talked to him a lot. I was with (Kirkland) and I was with Cedric Baxter. Sweat was always around, and he showed me a good time as well.”
The way the Texas players enjoyed themselves was a factor in Robinson’s decision.
“The thing about them is they have fun while playing the sport,” Robinson said. “They have an outside life and they have a life when it comes to football, but they take it super serious. They feel like they’re in the best condition they’ve ever been in, their best shape. They also go and hang out with each other. It just seems like a brotherhood over there.”
It’s a big year for Robinson as a leader on the Jones football team. He wants to go out with a great season before enrolling early at Texas.
“I want the best for my guys, and I always tell them to be humble and stuff,” Robinson said. “Don’t ever get over your head because just as fast as it comes to you, it can be taken away.”
What does he want to work on in his senior season?
“I want to stay low in my pad level at all times,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m on the other side of the ball every play, even when I’m tired.”
Any final thoughts?
“I’m super excited to be a Longhorn. Hook ‘Em!”
On3 ranks Robinson as the No. 271 overall prospect, the No. 26 defensive lineman, and the No. 33 player in Florida.
