Duce Robinson is the #1 recruit from the State of Arizona in the class of 2023. He is also the #1 Tight End in the Country according to both Top247 and 247 Sports Composite. On the 247 composite, he is a 0.9875 composite which makes him the first 5-star Tight End in the country since 2020, with Arik Gilbert and Micheal Mayer, who are projected to be the first 2 tight ends selected in this year’s NFL draft. Duce outranks recruits from previous years such as Brock Bower, Brevin Jordan, and Jake Johnson. The coveted tight end is being recruited by schools such as USC, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas; among others.
Robinson is a big-bodied tight end that will win almost every jump ball thrown his way and has the speed to get behind DBs for the long ball. The 4⭐ Tight End plays at from Pinnacle High School (AZ) and stands at an impressive 6”6’ 225-Pounds, but can still move like a wide receiver. If I had to make a professional comparison while watching Duce, it would be Jimmy Graham. They are both very dynamic receivers that can play everywhere across the line of scrimmage. He also has a similar build as Graham, outsizing every defender he lines up across, giving him advantages when fighting over 50/50 balls. Once he has the ball in his hands, it usually takes a few bodies to bring down the big tight end.
He plays at one of the most successful and storied programs in Arizona high school football, Pinnacle High School, which is no easy task for any athlete, but that’s not enough for an athlete like Duce Robinson, he also plays basketball at Pinnacle. Think 2 sports is enough? Wrong Again! He is only the third athlete to be ever to be named an Under Armour All-American in both baseball and football, alongside Kyler Murray and AJ Brown. He is already drawing play-style comparisons to New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, from MLB scouts.
Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/profile/7094164/Duce-Robinson-2023
I had the opportunity to ask Duce a few questions about who he is as a player and what he has coming up in his very bright future. This is what he had to say!
What is something you would want college coaches to know about you?
“I want to be great.”
What makes you unique as a prospect?
“I think my combination of speed and size makes me unique. I feel like I am a mismatch for most people, and can win most matchups.”
What is something you are looking for in a college program during your recruitment?
“I’m looking for a school where the football and baseball coaches work together very well, and am looking at how I would be used as a player. I want to be used as an athlete, not necessarily put in a box.”
What is your proudest achievement in football?
“I just feel blessed to be in this position and hopefully be able to continue to play at higher levels.”
Do you have any goals for the rest of 2022?
“Win a championship with my high school.”
What is your biggest strength as a football player?
“I feel like when I put my mind to something I don’t necessarily get distracted easily and will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
Who do you look up to as an athlete?
“I look up to a lot of people, but I want to play 2 sports for as long as possible so I look up to Bo Jackson a lot.”
What role do you play as a leader on the team?
“I just try to do whatever I can to help our team be successful.”
If you had to compare yourself to a college of a professional player, Who would it be?
“I love the way Kyle Pitts plays.”
