Being a walk-on for the University of West Florida’s football team in 2022 in his freshman year, linebacker Walker Robinson earned his right as a starter this season. It is not common for athletes, in such a short amount of time, to have that huge of an impact on a team.
“I feel like it takes a lot of mental capacity playing linebacker,” Robinson said. “It’s almost like a puzzle.”
Not only is Robinson a huge asset to the team, he also maintains a 3.6 GPA majoring in biomedical science and is involved in the organization, Alpha Tau Omega, where he has held leadership positions.
“Time management is definitely key to balancing it all,” Robinson said, “Sometimes I have to make decisions and miss certain events, on and off the field, so that I can stay on top of everything.”
Robinson’s weekly schedule is filled with early morning lifts, labs, followed by minimal downtime and then straight to afternoon practice in pads.
“You’d think I would get tired from all that I do,” Robinson stated, “But I don’t. The sport, the extracurriculars and even school, I love them all.”
Defensive Coordinator Kavell Conner, himself a former NFL linebacker, gave a huge insight into how important Robinson is to the team.
“Walker is a very natural, instinctive player,” Conner said. “The game comes easy to a guy like him. It’s easy for him to step in and be able to do it physically, but he is also pretty locked in mentally which helps him as well.”
Robinson has exceptional season statistics with 38 solo tackles and 15 assists to go along with a sack, which he logged during the game against Shorter University, where Robinson was selected by his teammates as Defensive Player of the Week.
“Walker means a lot to the defense,” Conner said. “He brings a physical presence to our defense, he is a great athlete and he flies around the field. We depend on him to make plays in order for us to be successful.”
The defense this season has been smothering, holding 8 opponents to 21 or fewer points.
“I feel like our front seven is pretty unstoppable,” Robinson said. “We don’t really let teams run the ball, so they can’t really get in a rhythm. That forces them to throw deep.”
Conner said, “I call him a little bulldog. He is tough, gritty, he’s focused and locked in. I know he is going to give me everything he’s got out on the field.”
All that Robinson is involved in does not go unnoticed by his team, he has worked hard to be where he is and is a great leader on and off the field. Robinson has been selected for the Gulf South Conference second team.
“Walker is most definitely an example of someone who can balance it all,” Conner said. “But more so, I use him as an example of somebody who worked for everything they have. He is a motivation to these guys who start at the bottom and work their way to where he is. Hard work and dedication really does pay off.”
Robinson is only a sophomore and has so much more of his talent to offer to the team.
