The Orange football program bolstered its defensive line on Sunday, Aug. 20 with the addition of sophomore transfer Alton Robinson (Converse, Texas). Robinson, who spent the 2016 season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, is eligible to compete for Syracuse immediately and has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
A 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from Judson High School in Texas, Robinson earned All-Southwest Junior College Conference Second Team honors as a freshman at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2016. He tallied 67 tackles for the Golden Norsemen and finished third in the country with 14 sacks.
Robinson carded 44 tackles, including 23 for a loss, and 12 sacks as a high school senior on his way to earning 2015 Associated Press 6A All-State Honorable Mention recognition. He signed with Texas A&M in February 2016, but never enrolled due to a pending criminal investigation. The charges brought against Robinson were investigated and ultimately fully dismissed on July 25, 2017.
“We have conducted a thorough and comprehensive review of Alton’s background and have received nothing but positive feedback from all who know him, including educators, academic leaders and coaches,” SU Director of Athletics John Wildhack said. “Alton has shown deep regret and remorse for his actions and has grown as a result of the support he’s had from his family, friends and coaches. At SU, Alton will be held to the same high standards that we require from all of our student-athletes and he will be provided with the support and resources to help him excel and thrive inside and outside the classroom.”
Robinson joins an Orange squad that features eight defensive ends, including returning starters Josh Black (Loves Park, Ill.) and Kendall Coleman (Indianapolis, Ind.).
Syracuse begins the 2017 campaign at home Friday, Sept. 1 against Central Connecticut State.