The newly appointed defensive coordinator for Georgia, Travaris Robinson, experienced a hectic period following the retirement announcement of the legendary Alabama head coach, Nick Saban. While this sentiment resonated across the college football landscape, only those closely connected to the new Crimson Tide coach, Kalen DeBoer, truly grasped the whirlwind Robinson found himself in. Shortly after Saban’s retirement, Robinson assumed the role at UGA, transitioning from his position as Alabama’s cornerbacks coach, where he had been recognized as one of the top recruiters on the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff.
To DeBoer’s credit, when he got the Alabama head-coaching gig, he immediately brought Robinson back to Tuscaloosa to see if the up-and-coming coach might stay with the Tide as his new defensive coordinator. The two met on Sunday, but on Monday, ESPN’s Chris Low reported that despite DeBoer’s advances, Robinson will stick with Kirby Smart and run UGA’s defense next season.
That’s a huge win for Georgia, and for Alabama, the loss of Robinson can’t be understated. Retaining a coach and recruiter of Robinson’s skill set would have been a massive help for DeBoer as he transitions to life in Tuscaloosa.
Per ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren, though, Robinson could have also helped Alabama hang on to star safety Caleb Downs, who is undecided if he’ll return to Alabama in the wake of Saban’s retirement.
With Robinson maintaining his position at Georgia, there’s a strong possibility that Downs may decide to part ways with Alabama, representing a significant setback for the Crimson Tide. Downs, a former five-star safety recruit, earned recognition as the SEC Freshman of the Year according to the conference’s coaches. His impressive stats for the Tide included 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions during the recent season.
It’s noteworthy that Robinson played a pivotal role as one of Downs’ main recruiters at Alabama, and the talented safety hails from Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia. Furthermore, Downs stands out as the top 2023 recruit from the state of Georgia. If Downs chooses to leave Alabama, the dynamics of Robinson’s new role with the Bulldogs could play a crucial role in influencing Downs’ next career move. The situation adds an intriguing layer to the developments in college football.
