Florida Atlantic’s secondary got a big boost following head coach Zach Kittley’s addition to the unit. Looking at the Power Four level, the Owls landed Antonio Robinson Jr. from Wake Forest.
Antonio Robinson Jr.
Cornerback
5-10, 168 lbs
Transfer
Wake Forest
Robinson Jr. announced his commitment to the Owls on Friday afternoon via X, shortly after entering the portal on Dec. 9. He joins FAU with four years of eligibility remaining.
He looks for a new opportunity after being a member of the Demon Deacons for two seasons, having been a reserve at a position filled with experienced players while working with the scout team.
Football runs in his family, especially his father. Antonio Robinson Sr. played two years in the NFL from 2010 to 2011, taking part in the practice squads of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks. He went on to be a member of the Packers’ championship team when they won Super Bowl XLV to conclude the 2010-11 season.
A 5-foot-10 athlete, Robinson Jr. can play on the defensive side of the field at a high level. A talented cornerback, he showcases impressive skills on the field and is known for his ability to read plays and make crucial tackles, making him worthy to note about the potential he showcased at Beechwood High School.
As a senior, he totaled 54 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He tallied 113 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, eight interceptions, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery while returning eight kickoffs and 16 punts over the course of his high school career at Beechwood and Florida Christian High School.
“He has exceptional athletic ability combined with great coverage ability. He had speed that allowed him to break on the ball once the QB released it and either break up a pass or caused QBs not to throw in his direction,” Florida Christian head coach George Gulla told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“Off the field, he is a well-mannered young man, always respectful and polite. Mostly was a quiet student and stayed with his close friends. We were sorry to see him relocate to another state and he will be an asset to any program.”
Robinson helped shut down potent offenses throughout his senior campaign, as the Tigers allowed 7.8 points per game. Beechwood allowed 39 points in five playoff games, and outside of 31 allowed in the team’s only loss to 5A power Covington Catholic, the Tigers gave up nine points or less 10 times.
Robinson Jr. was mostly viewed as a three-star prospect by recruiting outlets coming out of high school, with Rivals rating him the highest with four stars. On 247Sports, he has an 87 score as the seventh-best player in the state of Kentucky and the 86th-best cornerback in the Class of 2023.
Having taken an unofficial visit to FAU in March 2022, he also had multiple offers from Power Four teams like Florida, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Virginia, UCF, and Texas among other schools before choosing Wake Forest in June 2022.
Robinson Jr. showcases a combination of speed, agility, and strength while displaying his ability to read plays. This could make him a key player in FAU’s depth at the secondary.
His highlights at Beechwood High School can be viewed below: