The Cardinal Countdown: 94 Days Until Kickoff

Before we get this thing rolling today, a huge thanks to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can all enjoy the freedoms we have today. Truly a debt we can never repay. Thank you. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day.

#94 G.G. Robinson

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-4/290

Position: Defensive Line

Hometown: Lilburn, GA

Twitter: @GGRobinson

Thoughts: The recruiting process for Robinson last year was entertaining if nothing else. After being committed to the Cards for a number of months, Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers made a late push to get GG and have him follow in his father Gerald’s footsteps as an Auburn alum. Robinson decided to pass on that opportunity, as well as the late offers from Florida and Mizzou, to stay a Cardinal, and “boy and I’m glad we called that guy”. Robinson, now listed at 6-4, 290lb will have a chance to crack that impressive defensive line rotation as a redshirt freshman. Robinson saw reps on the white squad during the Spring Game and played well throughout the spring camp. Most point to Drew Bailey to take over that vacant end position, and rightfully so thus far, but I think Robinson will continue to push him throughout the fall and into the 2016 season for more and more PT. Robinson has the advantage of playing some tightend in High School and therefore has some speed and agility that most ends lack, especially before they ever step on the field as a collegiate athlete. That versatility is a big advantage, one that he’s already starting to put in play in his young Cardinal career.

If I remember correctly, back in 2012 Louisville grabbed a commit from a similar sized defensive end, 6-2, 290lb also out of Georgia who had quick feet, good speed, a great push, and wouldn’t you know, an unsigned offer sheet on the table from one Auburn University. That player….well, he wound up being the number 12 pick in the 2016 draft. While I’d never place that level of pressure on a kid who hasn’t played one snap of Division 1 football, if there is another “future Sheldon Rankins” on this roster, GG fits the mold. Lots of work to do, but I’m excited to see how he progresses over the new few years.

Sweet Tweet:

It's gotta be super cool to have Lovie Smith as your coach on the collegiate level.

— GG Robinson (@GGRobinson) March 7, 2016

I like Lovie Smith, have for quite some time. Watching him take my Bears to a Super Bowl probably helped with that as well. I know, I know, he yanked away McGee from Louisville, but as I spoke about before, that relationship was too deep for Garrick to not take a shot at cementing his own legacy and working towards becoming a head coach again. Having been recruited by Lovie, and them building a deep friendship for the last 20+ years is tough for any team to compete with. I actually think Illinois will make some moves over the next 3 years and start to compete in the much weaker Big Ten-West. I’ll miss Garrick’s calm demeanor and his “yin” to Petrino’s “yang” but I understand the circumstances. Of course, it also helps that McGee was very gracious to the Louisville community and fanbase on his way out. Good luck to Lovie and Garrick and hope they get some momentum going up north…unless of course Louisville was to play Illinois.

Then we will crush you.

You think me or Ellis Myles have forgotten about that 2005 Final Four? You’re sadly mistaken, my friend. Be prepared for Petrino to drop a touchdown on your dome for every single tear Larry O’Bannon shed. Every tear I tell you!