When Alabama football means everything, it is hard for someone to turn away from it.
Que Robinson, a Birmingham (Ala.) native, grew up around nothing but the Crimson Tide.
The in-state earned an athletic scholarship offer from the University of Alabama as a five-star from Jackson-Olin High School. He came in the 2020 recruiting class with several marquee names, including Will Anderson Jr., Malachi Moore, Tim Smith, and Jah-Marien Latham.
How this Alabama LB is morphing into an alpha leader at the right time
Robinson waited his time in a vaunted outside linebacker room, but he started making an impact this year. He sustained a season-ending upper body (wrist) injury last week versus LSU, yet he totaled seven tackles for loss, four sacks, six quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble in nine games. The fifth-year senior has a career waiting for him in the National Football League, but he wants to leave Alabama with one more College Football Playoff National Championship ring.
He is choosing to impact the team, though, he is in rehab. Robinson is lending his voice and experience to get the ‘Wolf’ position ready in its CFP push.
He is not listed as a team captain, but Robinson’s knowledge of the position is something Christian Robinson — the Tide’s outside linebackers coach — is leaning on the veteran to help him. The coach needs his best student to be an influence in the locker room, on the practice field, and from the sideline for Alabama to have a shot at possibly making a run in the playoff for a national title.
“I need you man, I need you here,” Coach Robinson said in Wednesday’s media availability about his message to Que Robinson.
“I need those lessons. I need you talking to them (younger players) with your voice, your leadership, just like the guys Tim Smith, Tim Kennan III, Malachi (Moore). … Like he (Que Robinson) is one of those guys. I know we don’t have a million captains, but in my eyes that guy has lived the same way. That is what being a leader at Alabama looks like. You make an impact and you will be judged by how you affect other people. He has left an impact on this room and this team.”
Pair of former 5-stars ready to step up at ‘Wolf’ LB for Alabama in CFP push
Robinson came to Monday’s meeting and his position coach broke down what he needed from him.
“He came to our voluntary meeting on Monday where we go over the film for the week to give him an idea, and he showed up,” Coach Robinson said.
Robinson is even open to having the talented edge rusher as a graduate assistant under him to finish the season.
“You know what? If he will help me out, I know he’s got some rehab to do, but I would love to have him out there as much as I can to be that voice,” Robinson said.
Alabama faces Mercer on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Robinson looks to help his coach have the outside ‘backers prepared to dominate at home.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
