Mike Robertson has big offers and a good perspective on recruiting

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Alabama recently offered Mike Robertson. A week before that, it was Michigan State. Minnesota was the school before the Spartans who made the 2020 athlete out of Hoganville (Ga.) Callaway that he is a target of theirs.

Close to 20 schools have now verbally offered Robertson, a football star who has a few more weeks to go before he finishes his freshman year. Georgia got it all started with an offer in January of 2016. The Bulldogs were first to offer and all of this attention could have gone to the head of Robertson, but it has not phased him one bit.

"It is great to get all of these offers, but they could be gone just like that too," said Robertson. "I really do not care about the offers and all that, but I just work to keep my head on straight, to get better and I really don't even think about the offers.

"As quick as they offer, the coaches can take them away, so I know I am only a freshman, so there is still a long way to go for me."

It did not hurt that Robertson had a cousin who went through the recruiting process a year ago. Demetris Robertson committed to Alabama, then de-comitted before taking his recruitment well past signing day and eventually signed with California.

The two are very close and seeing that all play out will only help the younger Robertson.

"He has just told me not to get the big head, to always stay humble and to keep working. He definitely has helped me. I took visits with him, I watched how he went through it all and he is someone who I can always talk to about it.

"We don't talk a lot about recruiting day to day, but I know if I have questions, I can ask him. Just seeing him the last couple of years though showed me a lot about what to expect."

Speaking of what to expect. Robertson knew what to expect when he visited Tuscaloosa (Ala.) for their spring game. That was the day he received his offer and he saw the top program that is run by Nick Saban.

"Alabama really has it all," said Robertson. "I love Alabama's style of play. They have a killer defense, a killer offense and I love everything that they do. They have great coaches, top players and it is just a top program."

The program that beat Alabama for the national championship has Robertson's attention too. He recognizes what the Tigers are doing.

"Clemson has had a lot of success here recently and they are putting guys into the NFL and winning a lot of games. The atmosphere there is great and they have some great fans. I have been up there once and I definitely want to go back"

Just down the road about an hour from Clemson is Athens (Ga.). An in-state program that plays in the SEC that offered first plays there and it is the school Robertson grew up rooting for.

"I have always liked Georgia. I have been in love with their school since I was little. I love the atmosphere there, the coaches are great and there is nothing I do not like about Georgia. They will always be a top school for me."

No school has taken the early lead for Robertson, but Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and you would have to throw California in there due to the connection are schools that definitely are on his radar. He could end up back at all four for visits over the summer.

The attention is something the soon-to-be sophomore has gotten used to. It doesn't affect him at all it only drives him to get better.

"I use all of this as motivation," said Robertson. "I know many others are out there working just as hard or harder than me, so the offers only push me. I don't want others to out-work me and stop me, so I want to out-work them, continue to be on top and that is all I worry about.

"The offers are great, but me being the best is more important."

He is definitely one of the best in his class. He is on track to be a prospect who could project to be a star on either side of the ball. Robertson is not really thinking about that right now. He loves competing and helping his team on both sides of the ball.

"The coaches tell me that they love how versatile I am on the field. They tell me that I could play any number of positions in college and that is what I hear the most. I really don't care where I play. I love both sides of the ball, so hearing that from coaches is nice. I just want to help my team win."