Enclosed you will be treated to a video interview from the Big Ten Network and some quotes from some former high school players that played with this humble young man.
The thing that sticks with me is, Denard wouldn't even be at Michigan if the two quarterbacks in that class hadn't de-committed (both are backups at Penn State and Tulsa) and Florida wanted him as a defensive back. Thank you guys!
I hope you enjoy this content as much as I did:
- From the Sporting News: "He's doing the same kind of things as in high school," said Johnny Seays, Deerfield alum who now plays at NAIA Missouri Valley College. "Just blowing past people, like always. He's always been a freak."
Folks with Broward County, Fla., roots feel the same way. They remember Robinson as a quarterback since his earliest days in football, a guy who needed control of the offense to operate at his best. Former teammates remember some local coaches considering moving his position, which mirrored many of the major college coaches who saw him as a tailback or defensive back.
But Robinson's quickness and production kept him behind center.
Examples of his prowess often come from the 2007 state semifinals against Miami Northwestern, the consensus best football team in America. Robinson and his Bucks dominated and led 14-12 in late in the fourth quarter. But Robinson was stopped on 4th-and-goal from the 2 with less than three minutes to play. And Northwestern, led by current Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, marched 99 yards for the winning touchdown.
"He wanted to punch that in so much," said former Deerfield star Josh Philpart, now a receiver at Jacksonville University. "It just showed how much he wants the ball in his hands in clutch spots."
- ESPN Today: If you haven't seen Denard Robinson do his thing, you're not paying attention. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has put up special numbers this season.Robinson can't be caught on the field, and he can't be missed on the highlight reel. The Michigan sophomore has 27 runs of 10 yards or more and 11 of 20 yards or more this season, including touchdown dashes of 87 yards against Notre Dame and 72 yards against Indiana.
- Bob Kravitz, Indy Star: There are certain moments that reveal a potential Heisman Trophy winner's essence, and that came on that final five-play, 73-yard game-winning drive that sealed the 42-35 victory. "Shoelace'' has got my Heisman vote, and it would take an act of God to make me change my mind.
- Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz: On Michigan QB Denard Robinson: “We saw a bit of him last year, when he came in and ran a two-minute drill. I’ve seen a few snips of him on ESPN, a few highlights. That’s where I’m at with Michigan. I haven’t look at any tape yet.’’ Coach is playing it close to the vest on this one. Follow up question coach: when you say a few, do you mean a 100?
