REPORT: Purdue making a run at Wan’Dale Robinson
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Could Kentucky fans have their hearts broken by Wan’Dale Robinson a second time around?
Heading into the weekend, it seemed to be a matter of ‘if,’ not ‘when’ when it came to the Nebraska star receiver putting his name in the transfer portal and ultimately committing to Kentucky. The first step of that scenario came to fruition when Robinson put his name in the portal Monday afternoon, with the former Kentucky Mr. Football adding that he wanted to “find a place closer to (his) mother and family.”
In a follow-up interview with ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the Frankfort, KY native also noted that he wanted to go to a school that could better prepare him for the NFL.
“It was about 50-50 with my mom and how I was used at Nebraska,” Robinson said. “I loved the touches and the way I got the touches. Sometimes they don’t translate to the way I want them to for the NFL.”
Pretty good sign, right?
Rumors of a Tuesday commitment spread Monday afternoon, with that buzz soon shifting in favor of a Wednesday commitment, still expected to be Kentucky. Wednesday came and went with no sign of an imminent decision, and as we begin to look ahead to Thursday, UK’s momentum has appeared to have taken a hit.
According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports – who previously reported Kentucky as a heavy favorite to land the dynamic pass-catcher – Purdue has now moved into the picture, with “other major programs” also throwing their hats in the ring.
“A source says Robinson was all set to move to Lexington on Jan. 19, apartment lined up and ready to go,” Wiltfong reported. “Perhaps Robinson, who is on a mini-vacation, will still move in. But he could also end up at Purdue.
‘“It’s really 50-50 now,” a source said.”
…
“Meanwhile other major programs are also reaching out to Robinson.”
Wiltfong added that Purdue’s offense is a “no-brainer for the style Robinson wants to play,” but made clear that Kentucky’s focus on “life after football” is one that entices the former Western Hills High School standout.
Robinson, one of the top transfers on the market, set freshman records for receptions and receiving yards at Nebraska in 2019. He followed up his impressive freshman campaign by leading the Cornhuskers in receiving in 2020. Used at running back and in the slot, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns on the ground, while picking up three scores through the air and averaging 10 yards per catch, totaling 1,494 yards from scrimmage in two seasons.
Will Kentucky be able to hold off Purdue, along with the “other major programs” making a push?
26 Comments for REPORT: Purdue making a run at Wan’Dale Robinson
We are going to find a way to blow this
UK is not “blowing” anything. Wan’Dale is just looking at his options. Remember, 50% of the equation is closer to home (advantage UK), the other 50% is a team to better prepare him for the NFL (advantage pretty much any other team than UK). That is not to slam UK, but lack of a passing game was bound to hurt us with WR’s. This may be the 1st, and until we prove we can have a passing game, it will only get worse. We have to get a competent passing game. Throwing for 100 yards per game is not going to appeal to guess to come here. Remember, WR’s are known as the biggest DIVA’s from a position group atnadpoint. They like things their way, I think we still have a good shot, but UK is not blowing ANYTHING. Well at least not in the recruiting of Wan’Dale, but from previous years lack of passing game. Coen will change that going forward, but can he, Stoops and Marrow convince him they will ???? That is the million dollar question.
He is not going to come here and play behind CRod and Smoke. We are stacked at the RB position so he will need to be a slot receiver.
Slot is his position, luckily
That would be even dumber than Nebraska.
I didn’t read this story and I won’t read any Wan’Dale Robinson stories. To quote John McClane “ Yippee-ki-yay, …”
….. mother smurfer
Truthfully, I think he’s overrated and wouldn’t make a huge impact as a receiver. However, he’s better than all WRs not named Ali on UK roster.
Rondale Moore 2.0 pitch.
Purdue = LOL
But West Lafayette is so boring! You spent 2 years in boring Lincoln. Come to the excitement which is Lexington!
Go to Purdue and he may never play in a bowl game during his career.
Better drug test him:
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/preps/kentucky/2019/06/10/wandale-robinson-cited-marijuana-possession-nebraska/1416099001/
Really I quit caring about Wandale long ago. We’ll be fine next year with or without him. Last year was when we really needed him. Next year we already loaded at wide receiver. He would be a great addition, but with all of Wandales drama I just don’t care if he comes or not.
Loaded at WR?
Drennen, Crowdus, Lewis, Cummings, Epps. All are as good as Wandale and some will probably be better in the end. Would love to see him here, but we needed him more last year than next year. With the guys they signed in the last two classes Kentucky should be fine at WR next year regardless of what Wandale does.
So sick of this guy, and his games. Tell this selfish punk kid to f… …And KSR always trying to incite……with all the insider info!
This guy is trouble, don’t let this cancer bring his toxins to the locker room. Reminds me of the LSU tranfer thst quit before the last game – glad I already forgot his name!
There’s more pretty girls on one floor of a girls dorm at UK than the whole campus of Purdue. Let him know that.
The way he used Kentucky to lock himself in as Mr. Football, and then burn us for freakin’ Nebraska of all places…NO THANKS PRIMA DONA!
Don’t need any POSSIBLE locker room distractions or team chemistry problems.
Don’t need you and personally don’t want you either.
You knew he had still someone else in the back of his mind.
How many times is this guy going to smack us in the face?
breaking our hearts? after the behavior exhibited in the first recruitment i dont want him on the team. we got good backs and he can go be an azz somewhere else.
To paraphrase Lombardi “I’d rather have good players giving 100% than great players giving 80%” If Robinson’s heart isn’t into coming here let him go.
He was a top 100 HS recruit and maybe the top ranked ATH in the class. He led a big ten team in receiving his freshmen year. He IS a good receiver and he would be a great addition on the field if he wants to come here. Having AB in Tampa has made a huge difference to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin… and no we don’t have Tom Brady but the point is having two guys who u hv to worry about taking the top off changes everything, for Josh Ali, for Drennen, Cummings, everyone else, including the TEs, who will find holes in the zone if they have to respect 2 receivers.
He’s a good athlete, but that doesn’t make him a good receiver. However, it does make him better than most UK receivers lol
New OC needs to assure him of touches, maybe even return game as well if they want him. Didn’t see any current receivers other than Ali that strike fear in anybody….If he can’t catch more balls than them, better go elsewhere.