MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football safety T'Qwan Robinson recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss what he likes about playing in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's defense, earning a scholarship last season and where the defense has made the biggest improvement since last season, among other things.
Robinson, a senior from Miami, Fla., has been a member of the Jaguar since the 2013 season earning letters each of the past two seasons. Last season, he saw action in all 13 contest and finished with 10 total tackles, eight of which were unassisted. He posted a pair of solo stops in back-to-back victories over Nicholls and No. 19 San Diego State, as well as two assists against rival Troy.
How has your previous experience prepared you for this season?
"Last season really made me focus on doing my job. I really felt like I grew up out there. The coaches gave me a great opportunity and I began to take things more serious. I knew I had to get things done and what my job was out there on the field."
Now in year two of defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's scheme, what do you like about playing in it?
"I would have to say the vision coverage. He gives us chances to key in on the quarterback's vision and it takes everyone to the ball; it's a Swarn 'D' mentality. If you have focused eyes, you are going to play that much faster and you're going to be in the right place at the right time?
What are some of the strengths of the defense?
"I would start with the depth that we have on the defensive line. We have everyone back basically and everyone is healthy for the most part. We have speed and power at our linebackers – Darrell Songy, Bull Barge and Riley Cole. Third, we have two experienced players at safety that mean business when they come down hill. Our corners on the outside have done well making plays. They are young, but they know what's going on out there. Everyone feeds off everybody else's energy and that is the strong suit of our defense."
Did you set any personal goals for yourself this season?
"I want to get at least, and I set the bar low on this, but I want to at least get three interceptions during the season. I feel that's a good goal for me. I also want to make some great game-changing plays on both defense and special teams that make a big impact."
Talk about the challenge of going up against some difficult competition to begin the season.
"We love being in the under-dog position, that's how we started off last season against Mississippi State. There are a lot of people out there who have predicted us to lose, that puts a big chip on your shoulder for you to play with. You just want to go out there and prove everybody wrong."
What are some challenges the defense faces this week at Ole Miss against the Rebel offense?
"We need to stay focused and not get distracted by all of their motion. We also need to eliminate all big plays. If you don't give up those big plays, it's harder for a team to have to move the ball down the field schematically. We also need to have swarm tackling; that's one thing coach Wommack loves to emphasize. Our tackling is what is going to help us come out on top."
Will you have family at this weekend's game?
"I don't think they are going to be able to make it this weekend, but they will be here for Oklahoma State."
What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"If football doesn't work out for me, I have plans to go into real estate starting out in residential real estate. I want to get my real estate license. I already have a position line up for me through a family friend. It I make it big in residential real estate then I'm going into commercial and lease out those big buildings."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I play NBA 2K and I also like to listen to music."
What type of music do you listen to?
"Honestly, I listen to all types of music, maybe some a little more than others, but for the most part I listen to everything. Some music relaxes you, some fits the mood that you're in at that moment, but I just enjoy music."
How do you feel you have grown as a player during your time here at South?
"When I first came here, I thought I would just take on the regular walk-on role. There were times where I felt like I should've been getting more, but I've grown. Now, I do what I do for the team; it's not about me anymore. That's when stuff starts going in your favor, when you want success for others more than yourself."
Last season, you were awarded a full scholarship. What did that mean to you?
"Earning that scholarship meant everything to me. I'm the type of person that if I say I'm going to do something, then I'm going to get it done by any means. When I came into college, I hadn't really been looked at by anyone else and didn't have any other offers. I told my mom though that I was going to walk-on here and earn a scholarship. My mom isn't really a football-oriented mom so she wanted me to make sure I stayed focused on getting good grades and stay in those books. When I finally got the scholarship, it was like a weight lifted off of my shoulders."
What type of leadership role have you assumed on the team?
"I try to make sure that I do the right things and that everyone else does as well. As a team, we hold each other accountable even as seniors we are making sure that everyone gets their stuff done."
Who has had the biggest influence on your life?
"I would say my mom. It's probably like that for everyone, but I've been through a lot with my mom. She raised three kids and kind of had to do it by herself. It's not that my dad didn't want to be there, he just couldn't. She moved to the United State from the Virgin Islands with three kids by herself and that's the strongest thing I've ever seen anyone do in my life. She has made so many sacrifices in her life for us. No one has had as strong of an influence on my life more than her."
Where would you say that the defense and the team has made the greatest improvement since last season?
"Our greatest improvement would be in the energy that we bring every day. That is partly due to our new strength coach Lance Ancar. When we come in in the mornings, he doesn't care how tired we are, he just wants us to come in ready to work. Having gone through that every day during the summer has translated with us to the fall. We practice in the afternoons right now, so we aren't necessarily tired, but we come out there ready to work. When it's hot outside, we aren't talking about that. When it's about to rain, we aren't talking about that. We are focused on getting ready for practice and everybody is so much more together. When we see someone not giving everything, it's the players who are holding each other accountable rather than the coaches. That's really were you see great team excel; they police their own teams and make sure everything is right amongst the players. It means more coming from someone your age or even someone younger. Energy wise, we have definitely improved."
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