Rich Rodriguez Clarifies Jimmori Robinson’s Absence Against TCU

West Virginia University head coach Rich Rodriguez addressed the absence of bandit player Jimmori Robinson during last weekend’s game against Texas Christian University (TCU). Robinson, who did not check into the game, has faced challenges in his preparation and performance since joining the Mountaineers.

Rodriguez explained that Robinson’s preparation leading up to the game was not optimal. “There was so much hype with that, and I don’t know if you could ever live up to that certain type of expectation, but last week wasn’t a great week for him as far as preparation goes, and some other stuff,” Rodriguez said. He expressed hope that Robinson would fully engage in preparations for the upcoming game, allowing him to take on a larger role.

With Robinson sidelined, other players, including Braden Siders, MarShon Oxley, and Curtis Jones Jr., handled all the reps at the bandit position. Robinson’s transition to West Virginia has been complicated by his late arrival, as he was unable to practice until he received clearance from the courts. To date, his performance has been below expectations, with only two tackles and four pressures recorded over four games.

In contrast, Robinson averaged four pressures per game during his previous season at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The Mountaineers have seen a noticeable improvement in their pass rush in his absence. In the first three games of the season, West Virginia ranked among the nation’s leaders in sacks and pressures. Following Robinson’s debut against Kansas, the team struggled to apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, failing to impact throws effectively.

During the recent game against TCU, West Virginia generated a total of 15 pressures and secured their first sack since the Backyard Brawl, which was the last game Robinson missed. This performance has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Mountaineers with Robinson on the field compared to when he is not playing.

As the team prepares for the next match, Rodriguez’s focus will be on ensuring Robinson is fully ready to contribute effectively. The dynamics of the team and its defensive strategies will be crucial as they continue their campaign in the Big 12 Conference.