BYU CB Jakob Robinson growing into vocal role for defense
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- BYU fans celebrate with junior defensive back Jakob Robinson after the Big 12 game against Texas Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
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- BYU senior defensive back Jakob Robinson (right) and junior wide receiver Keelan Marion battle for position during the first day of fall camp in Provo on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
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- BYU cornerback Jakob Robinson (0) scores on an interception against Cincinnati during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Provo, Utah.
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- BYU junior defensive back Jakob Robinson breaks up a pass during the game against Sam Houston at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
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- BYU junior defensive back Jakob Robinson makes an interception during the Big 12 game against Texas Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Anyone who has gotten the opportunity to see Jakob Robinson play football either at Orem High or at BYU knows he prefers leading by example.
But with veteran defensive backs like Eddie Heckard and Kamden Garrett having moved on, the Cougars need Robinson to be more vocal — which is exactly what the senior is doing, according to cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford.
“He’s definitely become a leader in our room,” Gilford said after practice on Monday. “He’s trying to be more vocal and help out the younger guys, which is a great thing. He’s quiet by nature but he understands we have a lot of young guys here. He has no choice but to be in that role. He’s taken it and he is flourishing in it.”
When talking to reporters, like he did on Monday, he still prefers being succinct.
Robinson was asked how the defense looked at practice and he simply responded: “Everyone was moving around fast. The team is looking good.”
The senior is one of those guys flying around and looking good, according to Gilford.
“Jakob is Jakob,” Gilford said. “He’s going to always be the same dude. He’s going to compete like crazy. He’s going to make plays on the ball like he always does. He always wants to guard the best guy on the other team. He wants to be aligned in the right spot all the time. He’s a guy who is going to make a ton of plays.”
BYU junior defensive back Mory Bamba said having Robinson playing at a high level pushes everyone else to improve as well.
“Jakob is a baller,” Bamba said. “Playing beside him gives me an expectation to meet. I want to be besides him making plays. It’s just good knowing that you have the other side is protected, so you’ve just got to take care of things on the other side.”
Bamba pointed to the interception Robinson had against Sam Houston to start the 2023 season as an example of the type of playmaking Robinson is capable of.
“It was incredible play recognition there,” Bamba said. “He and Eddie (Heckard) saw it coming before the play started. It’s those little things that make a great football player. It was a good moment.”
Gilford said that in some ways that harder thing for Robinson is to not get derailed by the tough moments.
“We just have to continue to work on being consistent and not getting rattled if somebody catches the ball,” Gilford said. “He absolutely hates it but we actually love it because that’s just the competitor in him. We play a position where things are going to happen. That is what it is. We have to be consistent and keep trusting each other.”
The hope for the Cougars is that there will be fewer of those disappointing moments for the defense, since it is now in its second season under defensive coordinator Jay Hill.
“The defense has just been flying around,” Robinson said. “I can tell everyone understands the defense a lot more. They understand the scheme. I think everyone is faster in general.”
He said that the focus has been on the basics so far, but he’s OK if there are some wrinkles mixed in.
“Any way I can be around the ball, I’m fine with that,” Robinson said with a grin.
While Gilford said that Robinson will definitely play a big role for the cornerbacks, but that he has a number of other athletes who are ready to go as well.
“The competition is good,” Gilford said. “The guys are competing like crazy. We have about six or seven guys who can all play and contribute.”
Martin named to Doak Walker award watch list
BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin was named a preseason candidate for the prestigious Doak Walker Award by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday.
The Doak Walker Award, first presented in 1990, is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate running back. Former BYU consensus All-American Luke Staley won the award in 2001.
As a true freshman in 2023, Martin led BYU with 109 carries for 518 yards and four rushing touchdowns. His four rushing touchdowns through the first five games of his career are the most for a BYU true freshman running back since Staley had eight through five games in 1999.
Martin was honored as a freshman of the week by the Football Writers Association of American in week three of the 2023 season after scoring two touchdowns and helping BYU to a 38-31 win at Arkansas. He also rolled up a career-high 93 rushing yards in a 27-14 win over Texas Tech.
In 2023, College Football News named Martin to its Midseason All-Big 12 Third Team. In June 2024, he was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists of the Doak Walker Award in early November. The national selection committee–consisting of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives–will announce the three finalists in late November. The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.
The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of the 2024 season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.
