Why WVU Views WR Justin Robinson as Significant Acquisition

After months of searching for another experienced wide receiver, WVU found one in Mississippi State transfer Justin Robinson. And now on Friday afternoon, he’s officially a Mountaineer.

Robinson’s signing comes three weeks after he announced his commitment on May 21.

Below offers some background information on Robinson to help explain why WVU was so interested in acquiring the veteran receiver.

A former consensus four-star out of high school, Robinson comes to West Virginia after spending the past two seasons with Mississippi State. Prior to MSU, Robinson was with Georgia for one year but saw limited action.

With the Bulldogs, Robinson caught 51 balls for 583 yards and 3 touchdowns. He made 21 receptions for 257 yards in 2023 while battling injuries and has one year left of eligibility.

While WVU head coach Neal Brown labeled the recent hunt for a transfer receiver as mostly a “luxury” rather than a necessity a couple months back, adding a veteran player like Robinson will give Garrett Greene a big threat at his disposal. And Robinson should be a “big” weapon for the offense in every sense of the word “big.”

Asti: WVU Offense Finds ‘Big’ WR Threat in Transfer Justin Robinson

Standing 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Robinson delivers the size and length WVU has been searching for all offseason. Robinson will be a tough tackle for any defender and will open up the downfield passing game for the Mountaineer offense.

Much the same way tight end Kole Taylor left the SEC to join West Virginia hoping to find an increased opportunity, Robinson is hoping he can finally enjoy a big season in the Big 12.

Adding Robinson now gives the WVU coaching staff another veteran leader in the receiver room. Transfer addition Jaden Bray may have the resume to help young players, but he’s not very vocal, something Traylon Ray mentioned after a spring practice. Robinson provides someone like Ray another receiver to go to for advice both on and off the field.

2023 (r-Jr.) – Mississippi State

• Played wide receiver for coach Zac Arnett at Mississippi State
• 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl MVP
• Appeared in 10 games, making seven starts
• Totaled 21 receptions for 257 yards on the year
• Had season highs in receptions (six) and yards (91) at South Carolina
• Averaged 25.7 yards per game
• Finished with two catches for 40 yards, including a career-long 30 yards at Arkansas
• Caught three passes for 26 yards in his first career start against Southeastern Louisiana
• Recorded two receptions for 23 yards against LSU
• Registered four catches for 37 yards against Kentucky
• Had three catches for 36 yards against Ole Miss

2022 (r-So.) – Mississippi State

• Transferred to Mississippi State after two seasons at Georgia
• Appeared in 13 games
• Finished with 30 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns
• Led the Bulldogs with a career-high six receptions for 50 yards against Texas A&M
• Made his first collegiate start against Auburn and finished with four receptions for 31 yards
• Set a career-high against ETSU with 62 receiving yards on five receptions with a touchdown
• Led the team in receptions (seven), receiving yards (81) and receiving touchdowns (1) against Illinois

2021 (r-Fr.) – Georgia

• Had a 12-yard catch in win over UAB and a 6-yard catch at Vanderbilt

2020 (Fr.) – Georgia

• Enrolled at Georgia in January 2020
• Played for coach Kirby Smart
• Saw action in the Bulldogs’ season-opener at Arkansas

 High School

• Prepped at Eagles Landing Christian Academy where he was coached by Jonathan Gess
• Helped lead the Eagles to a 13-1 record and the GHSA Class A-Private championship, the school’s fourth straight title
• Totaled 903 receiving yards and 11 TD catches during his senior season
• Unanimous selection to the 2019 All-State Class A-Private first-team offense by the Georgia Sports Writers Association
• AJC 2019 post-season Class A-Private All-State first team
• Named to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association-North 2018 All-State Class-A First-Team offense
• Helped lead ELCA to a 13-1 record and the Class A-Private state title as a junior in 2018
• Totaled 748 receiving yards and 12 TDs his junior season, averaging 22.0 yards per reception

Personal

• Son of Niqua and Tessie Robinson
• One of two children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

WVU wide receivers coach Bilal Marshall was the lead recruiter in the pursuit of Robinson.

Click here for the rest of WV Sports Now’s coverage of WVU football recruiting.

For a related story, Mike Asti detailed why Justin Robinson could be a big threat for the WVU offense.