How will Nebraska football utilize Wandale Robinson? It could be in a very similar fashion to what Purdue did with Rondale Moore.
Nebraska football has put together a strong recruiting class in 2019 and one the top players from that class is running back/wide receiver Wandale Robinson.
Robinson is the No. 2 All-Purpose running back in the country and chose to sign with Nebraska football over Kentucky, where he resides. Last week, Robinson took part in the All-American Bowl, one of the top high school all-star games in the country. He played wide receiver, which got me thinking, what position will Robinson play with the Huskers?
When Robinson talked to the Omaha World-Herald following his signing, he said Scott Frost‘s offense at Nebraska was the biggest reason he chose the Huskers. And here is what he had to say on playing running back versus wide receiver.
"“I feel like I do both very well, and I do both at a very high level. That’s what I really wanted to do when I was being recruited. I wanted to see which school I’d be able to do that at. Nebraska ultimately had the proof.”"
At the All-American Bowl, the 5-foot-9 Robinson got most of his work at receiver and he caught three passes in the game including a 35-yard reception. He also got one carry for three yards.
So how will be best be utilized at Nebraska by Frost? Well, in my humble opinion, it would be great to see him get a chance to do both and I believe that’s exactly what the Huskers have in store for him.
In terms of Frost, we know this much — he will find ways to get his impact players the football. He did it with Maurice Washington last season, who had both a 100-yard rushing and receiving game as a freshman running back. When Robinson is added to the mix, the Huskers are going to have two lethal pass-catchers, who can also tote the rock.
While Washington looks much more like a traditional running back, Robinson isn’t quite that big, in fact, he’s about the exact same height and weight as Purdue Big Ten Freshman of the Year Rondale Moore.
See, even their first names sound alike, Rondale and Wandale. Try saying that 10 times fast.
But when you look at what they can do on the field, you see they have more in common than size and the sound of their first name. Both players are dynamic and the charge for Nebraska football is finding ways to take advantage of Robinson’s skills like Purdue did Moore’s.
I do expect to see Robinson in the backfield and he should get carries and passes thrown to him. It’s tough to cover a shifty guy out of the backfield, so I’d expect a certain number of throws to him there. Also, Frost has shown a number of different routes out of the backfield and also a willingness to split out back and throw them the ball.
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Washington was a natural at it and Robinson will be too, honestly, he even looks like a wide receiver. In the slot, he could terrorize opposing defenses and I am sure that is another part of Frost’s plan with him. Throw him passes, hand him jet sweeps and put even more pressure on the defense.
Washington should be the starting running back and Dedrick Mills, an incoming JUCO, who is still expected to sign with Nebraska, can take over more of the power role vacated by the graduating Devine Ozigbo.
At receiver, the depth chart is a little less certain. Stanley Morgan Jr., one of the greatest receivers in the history of Husker football is graduating, however, JD Spielman, another superstar is heading into his junior season is back. Mike Williams and Kade Warner are some of the top options, as well as a promising group of youngsters like Robinson, Darien Chase and Jaime Nance.
Spielman, Williams and Warner offer a good blend of playmaking and experience but add Robinson to that mix in the slot and wherever else he can find a mismatch and the unit suddenly looks much more dangerous and dynamic.
The bottom line is, when I think of Robinson, my mind just drifts to Moore. The Boilermakers got him lots of touches, over 130 and it worked out beautifully. Nebraska football should have the same goal in mind. Robinson shouldn’t go a single game without at least 10 touches. He’s that dynamic.
And who knows, maybe if Robinson ends up getting those opportunities, he will do something else Moore has done — win Big Ten Freshman of the Year.