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College Football: Booker T. Washington alum Eldrick Robinson heads to ACC, joins Wake Forest

Patrick Bernadeau
Pensacola News Journal
Georgia Southern true freshman inside linebacker Eldrick Robinson II.

After more than two months in the transfer portal, Eldrick Robinson is the latest Pensacola-area football player to find a new school.

And that new home is in a Power 5 Conference. 

Following a productive season at Georgia Southern University, the sophomore linebacker and Booker T. Washington High School graduate announced on his Instagram page Tuesday evening that he will continue his playing career at Division I Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.. 

Under head coach Dave Clawson, the Demon Deacons were one of the best teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2021 as they won the Atlantic Division for the first time in 15 years. Ranked 15th in the country by the Associated Press at season's end, Wake Forest posted an 11-3 record that was capped with a 38-10 win over Rutgers in the Gator Bowl. 

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Robinson entered the transfer portal on March 1. When asked why he opted to leave Georgia Southern, the sophomore said he was "really just looking for a new opportunity." When asked what he was looking for in a new school, he responded, "just a good family vibe and another great place to play ball at."

The soon-to-be-sophomore is one of several local players to switch programs over the offseason. 

Georgia Southern defensive players Darrell Barker Jr. and Eldrick Robinson III celebrate after making a stop of the Arkansas State offense in Statesboro Saturday in the Sun Belt contest.

Following four years at Florida, wide receiver Jacob Copeland (Escambia) will play his redshirt senior season in the Big Ten for Maryland. Also heading into his redshirt senior campaign, defensive lineman Antonio Moultrie (West Florida Tech) is bound for the ACC after leaving Alabama-Birmingham for Miami. 

Leading West Florida to a Division II national championship in 2019, quarterback Austin Reed left the Argos for Western Kentucky. 

Robinson had several suitors as soon as he entered the portal. Before accepting to play for Wake Forest, he had offers from more than a dozen schools, including the likes of Marshall, Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee, Tulane and UWF.

The linebacker was appreciative of the immediate response and embraced his recruitment. 

"It felt good because coming out of high school, COVID hit and I didn't really get a chance to experience the full recruiting process," he said. "Now, I got to take official visits and really get to know the schools that were interested."

Eldrick Robinson II (24) celebrates after a big stop during the Escambia vs Washington football game at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.

Robinson goes to Winston-Salem after being named to the All-Sun Belt Conference third team last year. He racked up 75 total tackles, 1/2 sack and two interceptions during his freshman season with the Eagles. 

On Nov. 13 in a win at Texas State, the inside linebacker posted a career-high 12 tackles, 1 1/2 tackles for loss and an interception en route to winning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors. 

"It was a real great experience, from the fans to the coaches and to my teammates," Robinson said. "It was really positive and coming out of high school, it was part of a real growing process for me, just developing." 

A self-described student of the game, Robinson believes he adapted well to the speed of collegiate football in his first season, whether that'd be understanding different defensive concepts or reading and recognizing offensive formations. 

However, his "eye-opening" experiences came from managing his body on a week-to-week basis. Following a grueling week of practice and playing the actual game, Robinson checked in with the team trainers frequently to take care of his physical tools.

"I was making sure I'd be in the training room and making sure I was good after every practice, every weight-lifting session and every game," he said. "I was making sure I was good for the next week and the next battle."

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.