Ready To Fly: SMU Wideout Has Tools, Mindset For ’09 Liftoff

DALLAS – SMU’s junior two-year letterman Aldrick Robinson knows last season’s team-leading 1,047 receiving yards could have been – should have been - more.

And his 11 touchdowns? Again, should have been more.

You see, Robinson’s highlight reel of a season abruptly crashed last year when he was suspended for violating team rules with two games left to play. At the time, he and fellow wideout Emmanuel Sanders had combined for 2,005 receiving yards, easily breaking a 40-year-old school record. (See Notes)

Now he and Sanders - who also picked up the late, two-week timeout last year – have another chance to ring up Conference USA for big numbers. And after Thursday’s practice, the speedy Robinson (5-10, 175) sounded determined to get it right this time. “If we stay healthy, we can be a dynamic duo like we were supposed to be last year.”

Aldrick Robinson, right, led SMU last year with 1,047 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns during his suspension-shortened 10-game season.

“We’re going to produce a lot more this year,” he said. “Expect to see some shows, man.”

Last year’s suspension appears to have had its desired effect on Robinson. “It affected me a lot,” he said. “It woke me up. It let me know that I’ve got to handle my business off the field [and] on the field too. So, I’ve got to just be an all-around player and I won’t be getting suspended this season.”

Known simply as “Al” to coaches and teammates – sometimes “Al D” or “Little A” – Robinson was the only Mustang receiver to average over 100 yards per game last year.

A track star and football MVP at Waxahachie (Texas) High, Robinson says speed is his greatest asset. “I can get away from a defender, just like that,” he said.

Coach June Jones knows that Robinson and Sanders, who combined for 20 of SMU’s 29 touchdown catches in ’08, can be special this year. “Both kids have an opportunity to really do great things,” he said. … “I can just see, as they gain confidence, they’re going to be two of the most explosive players in the conference.”

Jones said both possess the required work ethic - Sanders, especially. “Emmanuel’s taken it to a different level since January. He’s becoming a true pro. Al has grown up a lot too.”

Jones said Robinson and Sanders on the same side of a formation make up one of the best duos he’s coached. “I think from a speed standpoint, an explosive standpoint, they’re probably ... two of the best that I’ve had, including some of my pro combinations.”

“Now, they have to be able to take that and execute it in a game at that level, which they’ve shown signs of doing. But I would anticipate, because they’re working hard … that’ll happen this fall.”

Robinson and the Mustangs concentrated on deep passes on Thursday.

Let the show begin. The 12-game show, that is.

Notes:
*Robinson’s longest reception last season was for 94-yards and a touchdown at UCF. SMU lost, 31-17.
* Sanders led SMU in catches last year with 67. Robinson calls Sanders “E-Man.” At home, (Bellville, Texas), Sanders is known as “Madball.”
*Jerry LeVias and Ken Fleming combined for 1,719 receiving yards in 1968, the SMU record for a receiving combo before last season.
*The Red-Blue scrimmage at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 25, at Ford Stadium concludes spring practice.