TALLAHASSEE — It’s hard to imagine where Florida State’s offense would be without Duce Robinson.
The Southern Cal transfer was perceived as a deep threat, accumulating 39 catches for 747 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons in Los Angeles. But Robinson has exceeded expectations, grabbing 49 passes for an ACC-leading 947 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games at FSU.
“Everything that he does has been pro,” FSU quarterback Tommy Castellanos said. “He’s a pro when it comes down to a person, football. He’s a guy that I feed off of and I look at and try to model my life after.”
The connection between Castellanos and Robinson is undeniable, and it extends off the field. They are close friends and have apartments down the hall in the same complex. They often sit side by side at postgame news conferences, smiling and sharing appreciation for each other.
Robinson is on the cusp of 1,000 receiving yards, a milestone he could surpass when FSU (5-5, 2-5 ACC) plays at NC State (5-5, 2-4) on Friday at 8 p.m. (ESPN). He would be the first receiver in coach Mike Norvell’s six seasons to have 1,000 yards and the first Seminole to do so since Tamorrion Terry in 2019.
The Wolfpack have struggled to match up with opponents’ top receivers of late: Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech each had at least a 100-yard receiver, and the Fighting Irish had two (tight end Eli Raridon and receiver Will Pauling). Keelan Marion had seven catches for 96 receiving yards in Miami’s 41-7 win on Saturday.
Robinson is a tough 1-on-1 matchup and not just because he’s 6-foot-6. He uses his physicality and understands leverage well, similar to a forward on the basketball court fighting for position and rebounds. And he’s no longer just the home-run option he was at USC.
He’s made the short and intermediate catches, and Robinson is the piece that makes FSU’s offense go. The Seminoles’ run game has been either good or exceptional, but they’ve had plenty of efficient days and average 227.7 yards per game (ninth in the FBS). That’s what offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn wants — a tough, physical run game — but his scheme is also predicated on having a mobile quarterback (Castellanos) and a vertical passing attack (led by Robinson but also track star Micahi Danzy).
Robinson is the ideal complementary piece, the receiver who forces defenses to account for him and be cognizant of Castellanos’ legs and FSU’s ground game. And Robinson is a selfless blocker on the perimeter for FSU’s running backs.
“He’s a difference maker,” Malzahn said. “He’s a guy that we need to try to find as many ways as we can in 1-on-1 situations. And he’s playing better without the ball, too.”
