–> After taking his official visit to Minnesota on Sunday, Bucknell transfer CB Ethan Robinson joined a growing list of players to join Minnesota through the transfer portal.
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After being publicly offered by the Gophers on Monday, Dec. 4, it took less than a week for Ethan Robinson to set up his official visit and commit to the Maroon & Gold. With other top offers from Arkansas, Auburn and USC, Robinson decided to make the jump to the Big Ten. On3 ranks him as the No. 93 OVR player in the portal and the No. 11 ranked CB. He will now have one year of eligibility with Minnesota.
Thank you to all the coaches that took their time to evaluate me and give me an opportunity. I will no longer be going on any other visits. I am committed to The University of Minnesota. Go Gophers! #RTB @CoachNJ_Monroe @Coach_Fleck @Coachlanese13 pic.twitter.com/0Qf1LMnGmE
— E🥷⛓ (@Ethan_2Rob) December 10, 2023
Who is Ethan Robinson?:
Robinson grew up in New Rochelle, NY a suburb of about 80,000 people near New York City. He attended Iona Preparatory School, the same school as current Gophers 2024 DL commit Jaylin Hicks. As a three-year varsity starter, Bucknell was Robinson’s only D1 offer coming out of high school and the geographical Northeast location made sense for the N.Y. native.
He quickly proved that he was a diamond in the rough, playing in all 11 games as a true freshman and starting the final six for the Bison. He had 54 tackles, 5 PBUs and 1 INT in only 494 snaps. The following season he continued to improve, earning a 70.4 PFF Grade, and then last year a true junior he had his best college season, earning a PFF Grade of 83.3, reeling in 3 INTs and making 54 tackles. After entering the portal he received an abundance of offers from major programs, earning 18 FBS offers before settling on the Maroon & Gold.
- Scouting Report:
Listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds, Robinson is a bit on the smaller size, but still has a prototypical frame for the Big Ten. With 154 total tackles in his career, he is a very impressive tackler for the CB position. He had 5 career INTs and 25 PBUs, proving the be a great playmaker. He also returned 31 career punts, something he certainly could help the Gophers with in 2024. He will provide some great depth in the secondary next season.
Instant Reaction:
Outside of Justin Walley, the Gophers CB room was disappointing last season. With Tre’Von Jones off to the next level, they had a need to find some help at that position this offseason. Robinson’s transfer portal offer list and production while at Bucknell should tell you that he is a high-level pickup for the Maroon & Gold. As it stands now, he will likely compete with former Georgia Southern transfer Tyler Bride and RS-SO Tariq Watson for the CB2 spot next season. Minnesota has had success with FCS to FBS transfers with Jones, Jack Gibbens and Jack Henderson, there is no reason why Robinson cannot be next.
What is next?:
With Tyler Bride only playing 82 snaps last season and Tariq Watson being a RS-SO, my money would be on Robinson becoming the Gophers’ CB2 in 2024. Minnesota has found a desire to add FCS–> FBS transfer on the defensive side of the ball during the last two seasons, and Robinson performed best in 2023 against the best competition, having a season-high PFF Grade of 84.0 vs. James Madison. Minnesota’s secondary will have a lot of moving parts next season, but Robinson will provide some much-needed depth and veteran experience.
Portal Additions:
- New Hampshire, QB Max Brosmer
- FIU, DT Jordan Guerad
- Bucknell, CB Ethan Robinson