Interview: 3-Star 2020 Alabama OL James Robinson Covers Recruiting and Unofficial Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Alabama 6A high school football is no joke thanks to guys like Class of 2020 offensive lineman James Robinson. The 6-4, 320-pound, Carver High School right tackle steps foot on the field with a mission to complete and an attitude to go with it. The three-star rated recruit firmly planted 69 defenders in the ground with pancake blocks helping his squad to an 8-3 finish in 2018. For his work, Robinson earned honorable All-State and All-Metro honors along with eight scholarship offers. The eight seeking him to join their 2020 recruiting haul includes Troy, Bowling Green, Alabama A&M, Florida Atlantic, Central Michigan, Alabama State, Samford, and Virginia Tech.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with the standout Carver lineman covering his game on the field, offseason workouts, and recruiting process.
Interview
James, it doesn’t take long to notice how much you like planting defenders in the ground on a block. You keep at it for four quarters. Is there a point in the game when you can tell you’ve broken the spirit of opposing defensive linemen and linebackers?
“Yes, sir. After a while when I line up, they stop playing hard and stop playing fast. They play to get away from me.”
As mentioned, you put a lot of guys in the ground last season. Did you count your pancakes and/or knockdowns?
“Yes, sir. I had 69 pancakes.”
The coaches use you in a wide variety of ways on traps and pulls, do you get excited in the huddle when your number is called on those plays?
“Yes, sir. I like pulling the most, catching them off-guard. It is a good block.”
You also get to go downfield on screens. Not too many times do linemen get to crush corners and safeties, how fired up do you get on those plays?
“When we do the screens, I like getting the corners on the sidelines.”
With all the work you put in last season, which game was your best?
“I feel that all my games were good ones, but if had to pick a best game it would be Russell County.”
Why is that game your personal best from last season?
“I had 12 pancakes.”
That qualifies. Which game was a challenge for you but that challenge made you better?
“The Robert E. Lee game. As a team, we were arguing at the beginning of the game. We were not clicking but we picked up the pace at halftime and came out with the win.”
What are you working on this offseason with your game?
“I am working on my footwork, getting stronger, and getting my weight down.”
Which areas are already showing improvement?
“I workout like a mad man on my footwork – that is improving.”
Have you had a chance to max out this offseason?
“Yes, sir. I like squats the most, my squat max is 525. My bench is 335 and my deadlift is 420.”
Fantastic. With recruiting, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Louisiana-Lafayette, Clemson, Louisville, Memphis, Tulane, UAB (Alabama-Birmingham, Kentucky, and Maryland.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have eight offers.”
Which schools were the last couple to offer?
“Alabama A&M and Bowling Green.”
Have you taken any recent unofficial visits?
“Yes, sir. I visited Troy on Saturday, I have visited Alabama four times, and I went to two Auburn games last season.”
How did the Troy visit go on Saturday?
“It went well. We took pictures and took a tour.”
What about Auburn, how did those visits go overall?
“They were good visits. Auburn’s atmosphere, I like it.”
And Alabama, how did those visits go?
“When I was there, I felt like I was at home. It felt good to be there even though they have not offered me.”
James, I can’t end the interview without one last question… I’m very curious to find out what the banter is like for you in the trenches. Are opposing defenders trying to be buddy-buddy so you’ll go easy or are they talking a lot of trash?
“In Alabama, they try to be my friend so I lighten up but I don’t lighten up for no one. I play for all four quarters.”
What are you like on the field, are you a talker?
“Of course. It makes the competition better. I like to get into their heads to make them weak. It makes it easier to do my job.”
I like that. James, it was great learning more about your game today. Thank you for your time.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Photo credit: Robinson family; James Robinson at Troy