Duce Robinson: Pinnacle High School football is the priority
PHOENIX (BVM) – Duce Robinson, the No. 1 tight end from the Class of 2023, has been one of the most sought after recruits in the country. The Pinnacle High School student is also being recruited for baseball and will play both at the next level. But his decision won’t come until after the Pinnacle High School football season.
“I’m hoping to at least have an idea of where I want to go probably by the end of the (football) season,” Robinson said. “In terms of commitment dates, I’m not really sure yet. Kind of just whenever the time feels right.”
The five-star tight end has for the most part told anyone who asks – and there are a lot of people asking – that the schools he is focusing on are the ones he has official visits scheduled with for the fall. That means USC, Texas, Alabama and Georgia are on the shortlist but Robinson will also be the first to tell you that the list could change.
“It could most definitely change,” Robinson said. “It could definitely shift.”
The 6-foot-6, 230–pound tight end and outfielder is taking his time with the decision. Choosing where to go to college for one sport can be a long process, but to do it for two sports just adds more time. Robinson is trying to get to know two programs, two different coaching staffs and two different team environments at every school he visits.
Fortunately for Robinson, his father, Dominic, was a dual-sport athlete at Florida State. He played football and baseball for the Seminoles and understands what being recruited for both is like. Duce’s mother, Mary Beth, swam at Florida meaning she too understands the recruiting process.
“It’s a blessing just him being a high-level recruit out of high school and playing both at Florida State,” Duce said of his dad. “He’s been my rock, he’s been able to teach me everything he knows and everything I know about this process and what it would be like to play both sports somewhere. Just the time and commitment and effort it takes to do something like that because it’s hard enough to just play one”
The Pinnacle High School tight end is also more focused on his senior season of football than making a decision on where he will go to college next year.
“I’ll take a couple visits during the season but to be honest, my first and foremost, my biggest concern is helping our team in any way possible,” Duce said. “I’m going to try to balance the two but I’m not in a rush to make any decisions so I’m hoping that these visits will help me to be able to decide where I do eventually want to go. But my job right now is to perform on the field.”
Luckily performing on the field has never been an issue for Duce. Last season for the Pioneers, the five-star led the team with 972 yards and also had eight touchdowns.
With a 6-foot-6 frame, Duce has the size of a classic tight end but he also has the speed and route running ability of a modern one. Duce is one of those tight ends that can be used more like a wide receiver than just a run blocker.
“It’s cool being part of that new wave of tight ends,” Duce said.
Five-star tight end Duce Robinson with the #USC swag at the Elite 11. pic.twitter.com/srGEMrOgKg
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive) June 29, 2022
On the diamond, his length and athleticism makes him perfect for the outfield. His power at the plate means he is a pitcher’s nightmare. Only an inch shorter than Aaron Judge, a player Duce grew up watching, there are a lot of similarities between the two ball players.
Duce Robinson (‘23, AZ) absolutely destroys this ball for a no-doubt HR to deep LF. Strong, physical frame generates massive power. Has the ability to change the game w/ one swing of the bat #WWBAWest @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/L7SVQqJ6g1
— Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 17, 2022
Duce also plays basketball for Pinnacle High School and will play for them this year. He credits his multi-sport upbringing for his success in all sports. Focusing on athleticism year-round gave him a foundation to be successful and then his focus on each sport during their respective seasons has taken that foundation to the next level.
However, summer’s can be tricky with both football and baseball events going on but Duce and his parents find a way to do everything. You’ll see Duce hitting home runs and chasing down fly balls one day and catching passes from other five-star athletes like Caleb Williams, Malachi Nelson and Arch Manning the next week.
“It’s really a blessing to be able to have worked with all those guys and catch for the guys like that on that level who could potentially be my teammates,” Duce said about working top QBs like Nelson, Williams and Manning. “It’s really cool and kind of surreal just thinking about the fact that I’ve caught for guys like that and built relationships with guys like that.”
Duce has said playing with Arch Manning at Texas, “Would be pretty fun,” and has also spoken highly of USC. Many consider the Trojans as the favorite but Duce has plenty of time and visits Alabama Georgia and Texas that could change his mind.
It’s not just college programs that could change his mind either. His intangibles on the baseball field mean there is the possibility he could be up for consideration in the 2023 MLB Draft. He has one more outing this year at the Area Code Games and that could certainly help his draft stock.
“The goal would to be able to have to make that decision,” Duce said about possibly getting drafted next year.
Pinnacle High School football will come first, then a decision should come soon after. But one thing is for certain, the 6-foot-6 five-star recruit will be a fixture for the football and baseball programs wherever he goes.
“I plan on playing both in college for as long as possible,” Duce said.
