UTC's Terrell Robinson is working to make himself a better wide receiver for the Mocs this fall.Terrell Robinson lined up at wide receiver in nine games last season. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's version of "Slash," Robinson was an effective receiver, rusher and passer for the Mocs.
The 2012 season was at times a difficult one for the former South Pittsburg HIgh School star. The 2011 Southern Conference co-freshman of the year started the opener, quit the team briefly and was replaced as the starting quarterback by redshirt freshman Jacob Huesman.
Though he still got snaps at quarterback, and typically played well, wide receiver was Robinson's primary role. In those nine games as a wideout, Robinson caught a team-high 40 passes for 489 yards and five touchdowns. He also finished the season 30-for-44 passing for 301 yards and two touchdowns, and his 266 rushing yards were third-most on the team.
Robinson said he surprised himself a little with the receptions, "but at the same time, most of those were just little bubble routes." Robinson wants to become a more complete receiver this fall and he's working to get there.
"I want to be more of an all-around threat and a deep threat -- throw it up and I'll go get it," the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Robinson said.
Mocs coach Russ Huesman would like that very much.
"If we can develop him more than we have in the past, I think he can be really good," Huesman said last month. "I like what he brings; he just brings a really good work ethic out there and some energy to that position.
"Obviously he's still going to have to play quarterback, but I think we've got to do a good job of getting him in that [wide receiver] group more where he's honing wide receiver skills."
Robinson said one key to improving his play in 2013 is getting in shape to be a receiver. He was far from out of shape as a full-time quarterback, where he was expected to run the ball often, but the demands on a wideout are different.
"I want to be able to go get the go balls and not have to come out anytime during the game," he said. "I want to be on the field at all times, whether I'm at quarterback or going back to wideout. Last year I really wasn't ready. They threw me out there and I could do it, but I wasn't in shape for it."
Robinson said his only expectation going into this season "is winning a championship." He'll try to make plays wherever the coaches put him, and he wouldn't mind if that includes returning kicks.
"Whatever the coaches have got in mind, I'll do it. Maybe I can return a kick or two," he said, smiling. "Maybe I can get back there -- I'm not afraid. If I touch the ball, something's going to happen -- something's got to happen."
The Mocs begin preseason practice on July 31.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MocsBeat.