Commitment Report: Sam Robertson (2020)

Two years ago, Wayzata cornerback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="2491" first="Sam" last="Robertson"]</strong> was not happy with his – or the team’s season. The team finished the regular season 4-4, and Robertson knew he had to step up his game. Both the corner and the team stepped up in a big way in 2019. The Trojans were perfect, and Robertson and the defense dominated. "We played really good," Robertson said about 2019. "We knew we were going to be a good team ever since we were freshmen. We didn’t like our season last year, so we had to change how we work and change how to look at things. I think Coach (Lambert) Brown did a good job of that. We took every opponent one at a time." None of those opponents could handle the Trojans all season. "On offense, our strength was the running game and our offensive line," Robertson said. "We were going to make you put everyone in the box and see if they could stop us. If they tried to stop it, no one could guard <strong>Jacob Wildermuth</strong> one-on-one, so we would throw it. On defense, we put a lot of trust on the secondary to put us one-on-one with the receivers, so we could put the other people in the box and stop the run. I think that is why our defense was so dominate (giving up just over eight points a game in the regular season) – we trusted our defensive backs to make plays." After his junior season, Robertson focused on his weaknesses. "The biggest difference was tackling. Last year I didn’t tackle very well. This year I took it upon myself not to miss any tackles. I worked on my coverage a lot in the offseason. When they put me in situations where I was man-to-man, all alone, I could do it. I think I was the best in the state." His work paid off, and his coaches took notice. "I would line up on the key receiver, and I was told to man him up the whole game. Basically, I was one-on-one with the best receiver – following him wherever he went. My strength is my coverage. I don’t think any receiver can get open on me. I think I have big-play ability." Robertson committed to North Dakota. "I have to get bigger and stronger. During the season, I was playing around 170. Now I am about 180, but I need to get that up so I can compete with the older kids in college. Increasing my strength, in general, will help me improve my play." This winter, the 6’1" senior continued to work on his craft. "I have been lifting and working with a trainer. I would lift – three days a week upper body, two days a week lower body. Later in the day, I would work with my trainer working on my speed and footwork." This spring – he hopes to make it three straight seasons of state tournaments. "I run the 100, the 200, the 4x100 and the 4x200," Robertson said. "My goal this year is to make it to State in the 100. I was close last year, but I think I can make it this year. Last year I was on the 4x100 team that took third in State, and I think we can win it this year." Football recruiting started slowly. "After my junior year, I didn’t have the greatest film, so getting coaches to consider me was tough," Robertson admitted. "The thing that helped me was how much work I put in during the offseason. Coaches saw the progression. North Dakota was already interested in me, but I think what really helped was The Opening combine. I guarded some of the best receivers there, and I think I solidified myself. I think I earned all my offers at the University of Minnesota camp. I got three or four offers that day." Despite those offers, Robertson always had UND on his mind. "North Dakota was the frontrunner from the beginning," Robertson told northstarfootballnews. "The coaches are so welcoming and nice. The facilities are all new, and they are great. I enjoyed it there." The coaching staff liked Robertson too. "They liked my footwork and my ability to stay with receivers in coverage. Also, I think they think I have decent size for a corner." The coaches would prefer he red-shirt but want Robertson to be ready – just in case. "Before the season, they wanted me to work on tackling – so I did that – now they want me to get to a certain weight. They want me to red-shirt, but if someone goes down, they want me to be ready to step in." After a disappointing junior season, Robertson was ready to step in to help the Trojans to a state title. Nothing is going to stop him from being ready to step in for the Fighting Hawks, either.