Why Missouri transfer Shawn Robinson is finishing his college career at Kansas State
When Shawn Robinson joined the Kansas State football team last month, his arrival was met with the opposite of fanfare.
You couldn’t find as much as a post on social media announcing his decision to transfer to K-State after previously playing for Missouri and TCU. Nobody outside the Wildcats knew he was on campus until he enrolled in school and attended his first class.
It’s rare for a player like Robinson, who most expect to make an immediate impact as a member of the K-State defense next season, to fly under the proverbial radar like that. But it’s the way he wanted it. Robinson doesn’t even have a Twitter account.
“It can get a little toxic,” Robinson said during an interview earlier this month. “It can also mess with your mental state. I just want to focus on myself and growing as a person and really just be in the present. I want to really appreciate what I have in front of me. So that is pretty much why I don’t have social media.”
Robinson would rather let his play do the talking.
His quiet approach is one of the main reasons K-State football coach Chris Klieman pursued Robinson after he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal following the 2011 season. Klieman liked what Robinson did for the Tigers after he switched from quarterback to defensive back and he came highly recommended from coaches that used to work with him when he was at TCU or growing up in Saginaw, Texas.
“They all said he was the right kind of guy that would help our program,” Klieman said. “I know he started out at quarterback. He played a game here against K-State at QB, then they moved him to defense. So, he’s got that savviness of understanding the defensive side from being a quarterback and he’s an older guy.”
Robinson is one of the oldest members of the K-State football team. He is also one of the most experienced players on the roster.
The 6-foot-1 and 223-pound defender began his college football career at TCU as a quarterback. He spent two seasons with the Horned Frogs and started eight games as an underclassman. But he decided to transfer to Missouri for the next three years. With the Tigers, he started out at quarterback but ultimately moved to safety as a junior. It was a scary change, seeing as how he never played defense in high school, but the transition was easier than he expected.
He found success on defense, making 37 tackles and grabbing two interceptions in 10 games. But he decided it was time for a change and decided to finish his college career with the Wildcats shortly after entering the portal.
“It was tough to leave, because I love those guys over there at Missouri,” Robinson said. “I love that institution and that state. I was there for years. But I knew this was the best decision for me.”
Why?
He thinks his talents will fit in perfectly to Klieman’s defense.
“They play three safeties, and I just love the idea that they let their guys go,” Robinson said. “Obviously, there is a scheme and it’s complex, but they are going to let you go and play loose and play free.”
It also seems like players who bring a high football IQ to the field tend to succeed at K-State. Robinson thinks his history as a quarterback will help him in that area.
“I’ve got good instincts,” Robinson said. “When I played the quarterback position all I did was study defense. So literally, I know the mannerisms and I know what everything looks like.”
K-State is hoping Robinson can hit the ground running during spring practices and help fill the void left by departing senior safeties Russ Yeast, Jahron McPherson and Reggie Stubblefield next season.
Many others will also have an eye of Robinson next season.
As fate would have it, he will finish his college football career by playing against each of his former teams -- Missouri on Sept. 10 and at TCU on Oct. 22.
“It’s going to be interesting,” Robinson said. “Honestly, I had no idea we were playing them. I really had no idea. But it will be quite an experience. There’s no bad blood, it will just be awesome because I have practiced against those guys all the time. It will be interesting to actually play against them.”