'He is an SEC-caliber talent': Sierra receiver Robinson seeks big-time offer

Sierra College has a long legacy of NFL-caliber talent, ranging from all-pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to two-time Super Bowl champion Dan Bunz. The Wolverines have a roster full of talent this season, but one player in particular stands out to head coach Ben Noonan. Sophomore receiver Dontae Robinson has everything college coaches are looking for. His 6-foot-5 frame and athletic abilities make him one of the most dangerous weapons in the nation. Robinson's only offers currently are from San Diego State, Coastal Carolina and Utah State, but Noonan says Robinson is an SEC-caliber talent and there is no doubt he's poised to play big-time college football. "He's still just scratching the surface. This is technically his third year of playing football," Noonan said. "In high school, he was a tight end and he had four catches because he played in a wing-T offense." Noonan said Robinson is one of the hardest workers on the team and it gives him flashbacks of one of the most prolific players to ever come through Sierra. "He loves to practice and that's exactly how Brandon Aiyuk was when he was here. The guy never misses a rep," Noonan said. "If he continues trending on that path and continues working hard in all phases of his game, he will continue to develop into a special talent." While many community college prospects would jump on their first Division I offer, Robinson chose to come back to Rocklin for his sophomore year, saying he has unfinished business with his teammates. "What made me come back was wanting to have more things to put on film and wanting to just progress with the guys," Robinson said. "I came here to develop, and I came here with nothing. Now I'm just ready to just be with my brothers and compete this season." Robinson came to Rocklin from River Ridge High School in Lacey, Washington. He burst onto the scene last year with 942 yards and 11 touchdowns. His breakout season earned him a JUCO Preseason All-America honor from JCGridiron.com. His 91-yard score in the season opener against San Mateo tied Aiyuk's school record for longest receiving touchdown. Robinson says he's trying to show colleges everything they want to see this season in hopes of landing an offer at a Power Four school. "The biggest thing for me is just toughness, especially mental toughness," Robinson said. "I have to push through everything, adversities, just anything that comes my way, and I need to be ready for any matchup I have against me this season." Playing in Northern California, Robinson knows he has a chance to prove himself against some of the top JUCO talent in the nation with teams like San Mateo, American River, Butte, San Francisco and Sacramento City. He says each individual matchup will come down to who wants it more, and he's determined to prove he can compete with anyone. Sierra quarterback Maddox Varella said having a weapon like Robinson on the outside makes him much more confident on game days. "Dontae makes my job a lot easier. Instead of every throw having to be perfectly placed, I know that as long as I give them a shot, then he is coming down with it most of the time," Varella said. "I have full confidence in him." The feeling is mutual for Robinson, who said his chemistry with Varella has gotten better and better every day. "I trust him entirely with my whole heart," Robinson said of Varella. "I've been working with him since last season, when he was a grayshirt. He taught me how to do a lot of little things and now we're clicking. It's going to be a fun year." Although Robinson has lofty personal goals, he also has high expectations for the Wolverines. He knows Sierra is seen as an underdog in a loaded National Conference NorCal Division, but he feels the Wolverines can surprise people this season. "We all have been talking about this all offseason. This season is something we've been working for," Robinson says. "We're a young team, so we're going to be the underdogs but that's fine by us. We got a lot of athletes here that are just ready and eager to get on the field. We got the weapons, coach gave us a blueprint; we just gotta put it together." Sierra opens the season Sept. 7 at home against San Mateo.