Recruiting on the High Plains | ATH LaDarrin Robertson

This class is going to be full sooner rather than later.  Lots of good stuff about Texas Tech's 16th commitment, Longview athlete LaDarrin Robertson, who I think is probably the best athlete on his team and as a result, will be asked to lead his Longview team next year at quarterback rather than play receiver, which he did last year.

The Measurables:

LaDarrin Robertson
Position: ATH
DTN Profile
Video: Clip 1
Rivals Profile N/A
Scout Profile
ESPN Profile 77
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 215 lbs
Forty: 4.50
High School: Longview (Longview, TX)

So much more good, good after the jump.

The Player Speaks:  Longview News-Journal's Rick Kretzschmar talked with Robertson about his commitment to Texas Tech:

"When I went to their camp, I had a good vibe with their coaches," Robertson said. "I’m very excited about going there."

Robertson said he could also play free safety for Texas Tech, which was 9-4 in 2009 and 5-3 in the Big 12. Longview head coach John King said Robertson’s ability to play multiple positions will be a good fit for the Red Raiders.

"He’s too good of a player not to be one of the 22 on the field for them," King said.

I also found a story about Longview's spring game, again from Kretzschmar, where Robertson played quarterback and he actually broke off some fairly lengthy runs:

Robertson had a solid showing, especially in leading a good ground game, at Longview's spring football game. Robertson rushed for 102 yards on 10 carries and accounted for two of Longview's three touchdowns when the Lobo varsity offense faced off against its defense.

Robertson's first touchdown was on his first drive, running 46 yards on a quarterback draw. His second touchdown came on a 19-yard run, but it was more spectacular. After running to the left, Robertson reversed his field back to the right, aided by a bone-rattling block by D'Marjia Devine.

[Note by Seth C, 07/31/10 5:40 AM CDT ] Update - LAJ's Don Williams talked with Robertson, who says that the coaches have said that he could play either offense or defense:

Robertson’s not even positive about that as it pertains to Tech. Tech coaches indicated he might play either offense or defense, he said.

“It really doesn’t matter,’’ he said. “As long as I can get a position and help the team out.’’

Video:  You'll have to go to this video clip, or click on Robertson's ESPN profile.

Scouting Report:  A couple of things.  I found this Dave Campbell's look at the state's best receivers and Robertson made the Best of the Rest category, which is pretty impressive considering he played receiver for the first time last year.  You'll also note that Campbell says that Robertson's fake 40-yard dash is 4.50, which I think may be a bit fast for Robertson, although the fact that he had two long runs in his spring game makes me think he has some break-away speed.  David Smoak, of Smoaky.com, tweeted to me that Robertson had 39 receptions, for about 500 yards and 1 touchdown last year.

You have already talked about how Robertson is perhaps viewed more as an athlete, although he played receiver last year.  He's playing quarterback this year and this is probably a situation where Robertson is the most athletic player on his team and his high school coach wants to take advantage of that.  It's also nice to see that Robertson is willing to play whatever position he needs to play in order to see the field.  And as Robertson said, he may be playing safety for Texas Tech, but I could even envision him being an outside linebacker. 

In my opinion, Robertson's film isn't all that telling, other than I do think he has some decent athleticism and I might be more interested in Robertson's film at quarterback than at receiver in order to get a better handle on what he can do in the open field.  Robertson is raw, but this is the type of athlete that could pay off on so many different levels.

[Note by Seth C, 07/30/10 6:20 AM CDT ] Update - a pretty good scouting report from Dave Campbell's Texas Football: 

His best attribute is speed and quickness: He's got a great first step, especially when using a stutter step move on the very short hitch. He doesn't seem the kind of guy you're ever going to properly be able to jump a route on: He's just to fast and fluid. He could be an automatic five yards on the hitch whenever he wants. I hit a key word in there — fluid. He moves very easily in space, and he has a few moves that make life difficult on defenders, like a back juke that could put you on your butt. I don't think he's the Mike Leach-kind of receiver, but he makes sense for a more traditional Tommy Tuberville offense. I think he has a chance to be very, very good. This is no class throw-in, that's for sure.

LaDarrin, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!

The 2011 Class:

Position	Commitment	Ht/Wt	High School/State	Rivals	Rivals Rating	Scout	ESPN	ESPN Grade
QB	Michael Brewer	6-0/175	Lake Travis (Austin, TX)	4	5.8	3	3	78
RB	Kenny Williams	5-10/210	Hendrickson (Pflugerville, TX)	4	5.8	4	4	80
RB	Bradley Marquez	5-11/180	Odessa (Odessa, TX)	3	5.7	4	4	79
WR	Derek Edwards	6-1/163	Brenham (Brenham, TX)	3	5.7	3	3	79
TE	Jace Amaro	6-5/237	MacArthur (San Antonio, TX)	4	5.8	4	3	78
OL	Tony Morales	6-4/300	Sam Houston (Arlington TX)	4	5.8	3	N/A	45
OL	Alfredo Morales	6-3/287	Sam Houston (Arlington TX)	3	5.7	3	N/A	45
OL	Le'Raven Clark	6-6/245	Rockdale (Rockdale TX)	3	5.7	4	3	79
DL	James Castleman	6-4/255	Amarillo (Amarillo, TX)	N/A	N/A	3	3	77
DE	Kindred Evans	6-6/215	South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)	N/A	N/A	2	3	75
DL/LB	Devon Hocutt	6-0/260	Ellison (Killeen, TX)	3	5.6	3	2	74
LB	Terrell Hartsfield	6-4/215	Hargrave MA (Chatham, VA)	N/A	N/A	3	N/A	45
LB	Blake Dees	6-0/234	Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort, AL)	3	5.5	2	2	73
DB	Freddie Warner	5-9/170	L.G. Pinkston (Dallas, TX)	N/A	N/A	2	N/A	45
ATH	Ronnie Daniels	6-1/195	La Cueva (Albuquerque, NM)	3	5.6	3	3	76
ATH	LaDarrin Robertson	6-3/215	Longview (Longview, TX)	N/A	N/A	3	3	77
Averages				2.31	3.98	3.06	2.25	69.06