Hampton University’s three returning tailbacks rushed for a combined 307 yards on 69 carries last season. Paul Robertson ran 32 times for 426 yards in one game.
Now there’s no overstating the jump from high school to college football, but those jarring numbers illustrate the impact Robertson could have as a true freshman at Hampton this year after a breakout 2012 at L.C. Bird High School near Richmond.
“Paul has a great opportunity,” Pirates coach Donovan Rose said. “It’s a matter of who comes in and is ready to go. We don’t start practice until July 31. I can tell you a little more once I see him in a Hampton uniform.”
Fans can catch Robertson in uniform Friday night, when he plays for the East in the Virginia High School Coaches Association all-star game at Darling Stadium. His soon-to-be Pirates teammate Johnny Cruz III, an offensive lineman from York High, also made the East roster.
Robertson did not start at tailback for L.C. Bird until his final season, previously backing up Yahkee Johnson, the MVP of last year’s all-star game. That limited his exposure and subsequent recruiting interest.
But as a senior, Robertson posted extraordinary statistics that trumped even Derrick Green, the acclaimed Hermitage High back who signed with Michigan.
Robertson is attending summer school at HU and, according to Bird coach David Bedwell, was unavailable for an interview. But when the Richmond Times-Dispatch named Robertson its player of the year, he told the paper, “I’m definitely astonished. I didn’t know anything like this was possible.”
“This” was 1,791 yards in 10 regular-season games. “This” was 1,144 yards in four playoff games, bringing his season total to 2,935, as the Skyhawks completed an undefeated season and won their first state championship — in Virginia’s highest classification, Division 6, by the way. Read Full
