The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2018 PREP PROFILES Although he's listed as an athlete by Rivals, Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills four-star Wandale Robinson is expected by most to play receiver in college. Running back is an option, too, though his 5-9 stature may make that difficult at the next level. However, the USA Today first-team all-state selection posted incredible rushing statistics last year at West- ern Hills. He racked up 2,330 yards, 13.2 yards per carry and 33 scores, and some of the nation's elite schools have come calling as a result. "It's gotten very hectic with a lot of big programs jumping in lately," he explained in early July. "Michi- gan, Ohio State and Alabama have all gotten involved — when teams like that jump in, it just makes you think about things a bit more." Despite the increased attention from some powerhouses, Robinson admitted that he is a bit higher on a few schools in particular. "Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue, Alabama, Nebraska and Kentucky," the four-star revealed. "I'd like to see where I fit the best, which school I'm the most comfortable at and where I have the best chance to play early — those are the biggest factors that will go into my decision." Robinson visited Ann Arbor in late June with his parents and said the trip couldn't have gone much better. "The visit was great," he said. "I was anxious to see how they'd use me in their offense. Michigan has histori- cally been an I-formation offense, but they're trying to spread it more with [junior] Shea Patterson and [fresh- man] Joe Milton as their quarterbacks. "They said they really need a run- ning back/slot receiver type of guy, and that I could fill that role for them. The coaches want someone who can score touchdowns and make plays with the ball in space, and I could be that guy for them." Robinson said he already has a few fall visits lined up, and that U-M will definitely be one of them, although he doesn't have a date set yet. "I'll be at Nebraska Sept. 1, Ohio State soon after that and Alabama at some point in September," he said. "I also want to see Michigan's of- fense in person for a game. I'll have a clearer feel for them once I see how they run their sets and how much they actually spread things out." — Austin Fox Four-Star Athlete Loved Michigan Visit, Will Make Return Trip Michigan sent out several offers June 18 after its installment of skill and linemen camps, and one of the recipients was Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward two-star wide receiver Quintel Kent. The 6-0, 170-pounder described how he approached the camp and why the coaches started watching him more closely. "I was just working hard, showing my athleticism and going for it at ev- ery station," Kent said. "The coach- ing staff started to take notice, and I eventually got bumped up to where the better receivers were that they had their eye on. "Then in the competition part at the end I was running routes and doing well, and doing what I was supposed to be doing, and doing it efficiently." Kent took home wide receiver MVP honors that day and also got a big invitation from a couple mem- bers of U-M's staff. "The wide receiver coach said he liked the way I played, and that they wanted to keep evaluating me," Kent explained. "They said they were go- ing to be in contact with me, and then the next day Coach [Jim] Harbaugh gave me a text and said to call him, and he invited me back." Kent jumped at the opportunity to come back to Ann Arbor and left town that time with an offer. "I went for an unofficial visit, and I got to see the campus and take pic- tures," he said. "We went out to eat, and when we came back we talked about their really good business program. They're really good about what I want to possibly major in. "Then I talked to Coach Harbaugh. He asked some question, and offered me a scholarship." Kent now plans to return to Ann Arbor yet again for the BBQ at The Big House July 28, and hopes to continue bonding with the U-M staff and get even more comfortable with what it would be like to attend the university. Kent's only other offers are from Bowling Green and Kent State, giv- ing Michigan the huge upper hand in his recruitment. The rising senior receiver had a solid junior season landing him on the 2017 Northeast Lakes All-District second team. — Brandon Brown U-M Is Working Several Angles To Land Talented Receiver ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Western Hills H.S. Frankfort, Ky. Class: 2019 Position: Athlete Ht.: 5-9 • Wt.: 175 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 5 player in Kentucky and No. 22 athlete in the country Wandale Robinson ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Edward H.S. Lakewood, Ohio Class: 2019 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 170 Rivals.com Rankings: Currently unrated Quintel Kent Kent on how he grabbed attention of U-M's coaches at camp "I was just working hard, showing my athleticism and go- ing for it at every station. The coaching staff started to take notice, and I eventually got bumped up to where the better receivers were that they had their eye on." Robinson on U-M "They said they really need a running back/slot receiver type of guy, and that I could fill that role for them. The coaches want someone who can score touchdowns and make plays with the ball in space, and I could be that guy for them."