MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football linebacker John Robinson recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he learned playing for a prep program like Hoover, how he's developed here at South and what's the best advice he's ever received, among other things.

Robinson, a senior from Hoover, Ala., joined the Jaguars program as a walk on back in 2015 after transferring from UAB.  After serving as a scout team member each of his first season, Robinson saw action in the last six games of the 2016 season for the Jags making solo tackles at Louisiana-Monroe and against New Mexico State in the regular-season finale.  He also saw time on the field this season against Alabama A&M.

Talk about how you ended up here at South Alabama.
"I came out of high school from Hoover and I was originally a walk-on at UAB.  I was there for two years and after the program ended, I had the opportunity to walk on down here."

What did you take away from playing at a high school program like Hoover?
"It established in my mind that in this world you have to produce and nothing's given to you, you have to earn everything that you get.  Things aren't going to just happen for you; you're going to have to work for things to happen.  My time there prepared me for the demand that in order to get out on the field, you have to produce."

Your first season here you didn't see any time on the field, but last season you were able to play in the last six games.  What was it like for you to be able to get on the field on special teams?
"It really felt like all my hard work was being rewarded and that I was being given a chance to prove what I could do.  I had worked hard and trained, and to get the opportunity to be on the field and show what I was capable of doing was a blessing."

What do you like about playing in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's scheme?
"I like how simple it is for us and how it allows us to play fast in the game.  We rep it so much in practice that when we get in the game, we know exactly what we're doing.  It may appear that we are running something complex out there, but to us it's simple."

How has the strength and conditioning program here at South helped you develop?
"It's really helped me put on some weight, which is important for a linebacker.  L.A [Lance Ancar] has done a great job getting our bodies right and helping us get stronger; I feel stronger and I feel faster.  When I first got here to South, I had trouble keeping weight on, but now I can stay at a solid weight even after a practice."

What has it meant to you to be able to continue playing football somewhat close to your hometown?
"It's meant a lot because I've grown up in Alabama my whole life.  The UAB situation was hard on me when I first came down here.  I was far away from home, but not too far so it helped me grow as a man.  It helped me become more independent and more mature about my decisions.  It's definitely been good for me."

Did you set any personal goals for yourself coming into this season or do you have any as you close out your time here at South?
"I just really want to be able to show what I can do and improve my skills on the field.  My goals are really the same as the rest of our team.  We want to win out the remainder of the season, win a conference championship and go to a bowl game."

What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"After football is over, I'm going to apply to medical school and become an orthopedic doctor."

How did you develop that interest?
"It started in high school when I got injured.  I remember going through that situation and I knew that I wanted to be able to help others get through their injuries.  I feel that I'm smart and I like helping people.  It really just came from my passion to help people.  It also allows me the opportunity to continue to be around sports.  Orthopedics is essentially sports medicine."

You touched on this earlier, but how do you feel that you've grown both as a person and as a player during your time in Mobile?
"Like I said earlier, I've grown as a man.  I think I've also developed having confidence in myself.  No matter what the circumstances are, I always believe in myself and my own abilities.  I've also learned to trust the process.  Things may not always seem like they are going great or going your way, but you have to keep pressing ahead and eventually it's going to break for you."

What do you feel your role is on the team?
"I think my role on the team is one of being a leader by example.  I'm not the most vocal guy, but I'm always there and I'm always working.  You may not hear me, but you always see me working.  I remember my time as a younger player and seeing other guys who were willing to work; that motivated me to want to work."

What is your favorite memory that you will take away from your time at South?
"There are too many to count, but I guess I would say that moment against Mississippi State last year when we won.  We had put so much time and effort into that game and to come out with the win was phenomenal.  I would also say just hanging out with my teammates – the linebacker position group and even the other guys that are on the defense or the others on the team.  Just being around this group of guys is great."

What's the best advice you've received and who gave it to you?
"The best advice I've ever been given probably came from my high school coach, Josh Neblitt.  He said, 'Circumstances don't dictate the way you live your life' and that's something I've really tried to embrace in my life.  I've had some crazy circumstances go down in my life.  Regardless of how crazy things may be in your life, you can still choose to get up and have a good attitude and keep working.  Just don't let the circumstances of life define you, you define your own life."

Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"I would probably say my parents.  My mother and father really have supported me throughout my college experience and they really push me to follow my dreams.  They've always been my biggest supporters and there for me.  They've had the biggest impact on my life so far."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Jaguar Athletic Fund (JAF) Priority Fund, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the Priority Fund directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/sports/2013/3/13/Gridiron%20Club.aspx?id=22

—USA—