re: 2013 Auburn Recruiting Thread: Commits, Visits, Hot Prospects, etc...

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"Coach Chizik had told me that Auburn would not drop me if I got hurt," Robinson said. "He was saying other coaches might look at me differently if I got hurt and could not play for the rest of my senior season. He said Auburn would show me that once I was a part of the family that I would still be at Auburn even if I got hurt."

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Dothan, Ala. CB Kamryn Melton just committed to #Auburn. He received an offer from the Tigers this past week.

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Pinson Valley receiver Earnest Robinson committed to Auburn coach Gene Chizik Saturday afternoon. He did not make state history by saying that a "family" atmosphere was why he chose Auburn over LSU.

But he might have been the first to apply that definition of "family" to the modern recruiting landscape for an elite receiver Rivals.com rates as the nation's No. 101 prospect for the Class of 2013.

"Coach Chizik had told me that Auburn would not drop me if I got hurt," Robinson said. "He was saying other coaches might look at me differently if I got hurt and could not play for the rest of my senior season. He said Auburn would show me that once I was a part of the family that I would still be at Auburn even if I got hurt." Robinson committed to Auburn coach Gene Chizik Saturday afternoon. Rivals.com rates him the nation's No. 101 player for the Class of 2013.

That was a sound strategy. Robinson. suffered a high-ankle sprain against Center Point last season and missed significant time. He still finished with 12 touchdown catches on just 30 receptions.

Robinson said he played out his junior year at "about 75 percent" but still averaged 18 yards per reception.

Pinson Valley coach Matt Glover said Robinson would quickly assert himself as a physical receiver once his arrives on campus.

Glover said the 6-foot-2, 202-pounder will fill out at 225 or 230 pounds once he's playing on Saturdays. According to Coach Glover, Robinson can bench press 305 pounds. He's squatting 500 pounds and can power clean at least 255 pounds right now.

"They told him he was their No. 1 receiver and they've showed him more love than anyone else," Glover said.

Alabama and Auburn had both offered Robinson before his junior season. Glover said Alabama's interest in Robinson had tailed off and he was not sure whether Alabama's offer was still on the table. Alabama coach Nick Saban did visit Pinson Valley earlier this year on a recruiting visit.

"Alabama had not told him he was no longer offered," Glover said. "But Alabama never said that he was still offered recently either."

Robinson liked the impression he got of Auburn's depth chart and how that created the potential for him to play as a freshman. Both Glover and Robinson admitted the prospect does have some academic work to do in order to sign with Auburn.

Glover said Robinson has taken the ACT one time and is not currently qualified at this time. Glover thought Robinson managed a "17 or so" on that attempt, but felt his biggest priority will be raising his grade-point average in his core classes.

"He's got work to do," Glover said. "It can be done. He's not qualified right now and I'm glad he went ahead and commited to Auburn now so they can also stay on top of him about his grades. He's got a plan, though. We expect him to take advantage of that plan."

Of all the pitches he heard, Robinson said the phrase that "Auburn wanted to develop him" as both an student-athlete and as a person really stood out.

"I was slacking off a bit in school in not doing my best work," Robinson said. "I had a lot of C's and B's and I need to bring them up to B's and A's now. I need to bring my GPA up and also do well on my ACT when I take it again."

Glover has shared a story in the past that relates to Robinson's humility. It is a common sight to see him hugging on the lunchroom ladies at Pinson Valley during the school day.

"I love to eat," Robinson said. "But I also like to treat people nice. I love those lunch ladies. They've all helped me out a lot. I'm just a nice guy that tries to show good character to his teachers and treat everyone the right way."

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