Tyree Robinson

Safety / East Tennessee State

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Tyree Robinson:  Height is 5’11, weight is 190 and 4.4.      

Alex Khvatov:  How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Tyree Robinson:  I have a curl bar at home.  We have a local gym down the street where I trained with my high school boys.  I rode a bike and ran with a weight vest.  My little brother and I also trained together.       

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Tyree Robinson:  I used to play basketball during the ninth grade.  I ran track.  I did the high jump, long jump and 100m.  I did it for two years.       

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Tyree Robinson:  I played receiver the first three years and then I moved to safety my senior year.     

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Tyree Robinson:  My two offers were Murray State and East Tennessee State.  ETSU was my first offer.     

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at East Tennessee State?   

Tyree Robinson:  It felt like home.  People were nice.  Coaches were cool.  I can express myself freely.  It felt like Gainesville, Georgia where I am from.     

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.

Tyree Robinson:  Freshman year, I ended up starting midseason.  Sophomore year, my career took off.  I had six picks and became an All-American.  It was my best season.  Junior year, I got hurt in The Citadel game.  It caused me to miss four games.  I sprained my MCL. 

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season?   

Tyree Robinson:  We should be better than last year.  We have to come together.  We need to finish off games.  Something that we lacked last season.  We want to compete. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Tyree Robinson:  I have the size, strength and speed.  I have the smarts.  I have the brains and the will power.       

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Tyree Robinson:  I need to get better at tackling.  I need to study film more.  It is all about getting in the film room and breaking everything down.  I also need to get to my zones quicker.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Tyree Robinson:  My sophomore season, we won the SoCon title.  We shared the title, but we got a ring.  We shared that bond with the guys that year.  Without that team, I wouldn’t be who I am today.  They pushed me, and I grew.        

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?   

Tyree Robinson:  Our coaches always use this phrase.  So what, now what.  It is third down, and you give up a big play, what are you going do.  When you get knocked down, will you bounce back and get better.  I want to get better every day.     

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Tyree Robinson:  The Falcons.      

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Tyree Robinson:  Jamal Adams.  I like his attitude.  He modernized the safety position.  I always looked up to Ed Reed.  I try to model my game after him. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

Tyree Robinson:  CB Karon Delince is a very good player.  We have a connection on the field.  We trust each other.  LB Donovan Manuel, RB Jacob Saylors, RB Quay Holmes and WR Isaiah Wilson.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Tyree Robinson:  Chattanooga freshman RB (Ailym Ford) from last year.  The crowd went crazy over his performance.       

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a safety? 

Tyree Robinson:  Eyes and your smarts.  Recognizing the play, knowing the down and the distance.

Alex Khvatov:  What is it like being that last line of defense?

Tyree Robinson:  I love playing safety.  I get a rush.  It is the best thing about playing safety.  Your job is not to let anyone passed you.  You are the QB of the defense. 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Tyree Robinson:  Football is my stress reliever.  I love to do it.  I have been playing the game since I have been three years old. 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Tyree Robinson:  I love to play basketball and the drums.  I like to draw.  

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Tyree Robinson:  I am looking at becoming a defense lawyer or a coach.  I want to teach the young kids how to play the game the right way.  I am majoring in criminal justice.      

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Tyree Robinson:  I am usually the underdog.  People always say that he can’t do this.  I am always able to overcome it and get it done.  My teammates love being around me.  People love my energy.  I have that passion about me.  I bring that to the table.  I am competitive when it comes to everything.  

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

Tyree Robinson:  You have to do things the right way.  A leader is someone you look up to like Troy Polamalu or Jamal Adams.  A leader has the team’s best interest in mind.  A leader stands for something.  

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Tyree Robinson:  Intelligent, outgoing, quiet, determined, and funny.