Jerry Thibodeaux
June 1, 2017
STILL FINDING DEALS
June 1, 2017
Vandebilt quarterback Andrew Robison was dynamic and explosive as a sophomore – unquestionably one of the top players in the Houma-Thibodaux area.
But now he’s older, bigger, faster and stronger.
That’s probably bad news for opposing defenses in 2017 and beyond.
Robison said he’s eager for the summer, because it will allow him the opportunity to finish off what he believes has been a productive offseason.
The quarterback said he’s put in hours of work – both physical and mental – in an effort to be even better in 2017 as a junior.
“My biggest focuses this offseason have been two things: getting bigger and studying film,” Robison said. “I’ve put on almost 15 pounds of muscle since April. I’ve also got to be better at making quick reads and will be doing a lot of work to make sure we are successful in the running game. We have several talented people on offense. It’s my job to distribute and spread the ball around, which will make our offense more effective.”
That’s an awfully scary thought, because the Terriers were already pretty darned good at scoring points in 2016. A lot of that success was because of Robison’s play under center.
As a sophomore, Robison was terrific, posting extraordinary stats for a team which went 8-2 in the regular season and which scored 30 or more points in eight of their 10 regular season games.
Robison completed 171-of285 passes with 2,423 yards, 26 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2016. He eclipsed 200 yards passing in eight games and surpassed the 300-yard mark in two games, including a five-touchdown performance against Central Lafourche.
As a runner, Robison was also prolific, rushing 42 times for 306 yards with three touchdowns. “He’s a terrific playmaker,” Vandebilt coach Jeremy Atwell said last season. “I think he has a lot of poise back there and he’s a gifted football player and a good leader. He has success on Friday nights, but what people don’t see is the hard work he puts in throughout the week, which allows that success to be possible. He’s a diligent kid who really enjoys this team and his teammates.”
Robison said he models his game after Drew Brees and Russell Wilson – two players he admires because they have a similar body type that he does.
He’s not huge, standing just 5-feet, 11-inches and weighing south of 200 pounds. But because of his ability to read defenses and evade pass rushers, Robison plays much taller than his size would indicate – something he said he takes pride in.
But in terms of preparation, Robison said he also enjoys studying Peyton Manning, calling him the most prepared quarterback he’s ever seen.
“I really admire Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, because both of them were overlooked because of height and then overcame it to get Super Bowl wins,” Robison said. “I also admire how much work and preparation Peyton Manning did to make his offenses so good, and for so many years with the Colts and Broncos.”
But even for all of the success the team had, Robison said he believes the Terriers still left a lot of meat on the bone on offense – something he said the team will hope to fix in the new season.
Robison injured his shoulder early in the year and played a lot of his sophomore season without being at 100 percent health.
He underwent offseason surgery, which caused him to miss most of the 2016-17 prep basketball season.
Robison said he was cleared in early March to resume all athletic activities, and he’s been full steam ahead ever since.
While injured, Robison said he studied some of the top offenses in Louisiana and determined that the Terriers could do better – even after the high-powered attack they fielded last year.
He said he will try and encourage his teammates throughout the season to accept nothing less than being the best offensive unit the team can possibly be.
“We had a decent record last season, but we did not really click as an offense,” Robison said. “We have lots of room for improvement. Last season was a step in a positive direction, but it was not where our goals are. I want us to be in the mix for a championship, which means we compete with and beat quality playoff opponents. I think St. Thomas More is a good example of an offense last year that executed well, and they ended up winning it all.”
Away from team-related goals, Robison said he also aspires to play beyond his high school career.
Robison said he recently got his first offer – from Northwestern State. LSU, Texas Tech, UL-Lafayette, UL-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and McNeese have also shown interest.
Robison said he plans to attend several quarterback camps over the summer to try and showcase his ability to scouts around the country.
But he knows that the best way to wow people is in between the lines on Friday night, and he said that’s his biggest focus right now – winning ballgames with his team in the upcoming season.
The Robison family is not from Louisiana. They moved here from Tennessee after Vandebilt hired Andrew’s father, Drew Robison, to be its basketball coach.
But even for someone who has only been here a few years, Robison can recite school history and stats with ease, showing his strong desire to do things on the field that the program has not done in an awfully long time.
“Elijah McGuire led Vandebilt to the quarterfinals and the last state championship here was in 1959,” Robison said. “I want people around here to see what they have never seen before. All I can ever hope for is that when my family came here two years ago, that we’ve made a positive impact on this community – on and off the field. Coach Atwell and my teachers and many other people here at Vandebilt have given me a great opportunity and I owe them my very best.”
Vandebilt quarterback Andrew Robison had a huge season in 2016 as a sophomore. With two years of prep eligibility, he said he wants to take the Terriers deep into the playoffs.
