Wan'Dale Robinson had a record-setting season for UK and the New York Giants took him in the second round of the NFL draft. (Photo by UK Athletics)
It’s not unusual for former all-Southeastern Conference running back Anthony White to offer insights on WLAP’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk that prove just how much more football he knows than I do.
However, White — one of the best running/receiving backs ever at Kentucky — said something Sunday during our conversation with Dale Robinson, the father of UK star receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, that made me really think.
We asked how much the pro-style offense that former UK offensive coordinator Liam Coen brought to Kentucky last season helped change the direction of Wan’Dale Robinson’s career after he transferred from Nebraska.
“I am not going to lie. Shout out to Liam Coen,” Dale Robinson said. “Truly blessed to have him. Liam Coen’s offense, it was everything for him (Wan’Dale) to get to the point where he is at right now. He put the work in and it paid off.”
It did with a record-setting season for yards, receptions and touchdown catches for Wan’Dale Robinson.
I wondered if Robinson would have as good a quarterback throwing to him with the New York Giants next season as he did last year with Will Levis, who is already being mentioned as a top 10 draft pick next year.
That’s when White added insights I never considered.
“Sometime it might not be the quarterback,” White said. “It might be the weapons the quarterback has.”
Boom!
I never considered that Robinson did as much or more to make Levis shine as what the quarterback did for the receiver.
“If Wan’Dale had not shown up at Kentucky, I am not sure how successful Liam and Will would have been,” White said. “They deserve credit but there are things Wan’Dale does that are not teachable.”
9 Responses
That’s what a team is….parts….and they all matter and make a difference….some good and others not as effective….but it’s the team, and every part matters.
You got that right John
I was at the Citrus bowl and I didn’t miss watching a game all year. On the game winning drive as well as throughout the came Wan’Dale had to make some down right Amazing catches. And he did that all year long. It’s like Craig Yeast catching a 4 yard slant and turning it into a 70 yard pass play for a touchdown. So for me Wan’Dale made them as much if not more than they made him.
It’s like I said once about Randall Cobb, "the only reason that Cobb didn’t play QB is because he couldn’t pass the ball to his self. " Great quarterback can make average receivers look amazing and great receivers can make good QB’s look amazing.
This is not a knock on Will or Liam. But on this one I agree with White. IMHO
In the same breath the attitude and skill set that Will brings to the table are immeasurable and that SWAG is infectious. When the QB is confident then the others usually follow suit. I love Will and what he has done and will continue do for UL football.
oops UK football. LOL
That was a big oops UKFMLY
Wandale Robinson made it look easy, and his play helped UK accomplish those 10 wins that probably would not have happened were he not on that team. That is my view. A great team is built around the QB however, and Levis is one of the best based on his arm strength and leadership skill. All that said, it is still a team sport, and a team effort. Everyone helped. I just hope UK can throw and catch like they did in 21. Who will Levis hook up with down the field in 22 with no more Wandale running under deep throne balls? That is what I am wondering about now.
definitely going to miss Wan’Dale
Larry, I love your readers. They help make your column. Do you pay a salary to LarryPup? You should.
I don’t know about Wan Dale Robinson and Will Levis in the pros because the competition is so great but we have had a treat watching these two play together. Won’t it be fun to watch them compete in the NFL?
By the way, I enjoyed the conversation with Mr. Robinson. I love your Sunday morning sports talk show and try not to miss it even on podcast. I haven’t yet stooped to listening in church. 😜🏈
Thanks for listening to WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk and Dale Robinson was great.
And my readers really are the best. If I had to pay Pup, not sure I could afford him. He’s priceless
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