Over the last month, four-star Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills athlete Wandale Robinson zeroed in on a decision. As he weighed his options, he was ready to take his talents out of the Bluegrass State and away from home, likely to Nebraska. But then Wednesday night came and after a long talk with his family, Robinson reversed course and made his mind up that he would stay home and play for Kentucky and spurn the Huskers in the process.
He made his announcement public at an announcement at Western Hills on Thursday afternoon, committing to Kentucky over finalists Nebraska, Alabama, Ohio State and Purdue.
"It was tonight," Robinson said late Wednesday night. "Me and those close to me got together and the more I thought about it some things weren't certain and I had to go with who I trusted the most and that was the coaches at Kentucky."
Robinson has long been a target of the Wildcats as he lives just outside of Lexington, but many Wildcats fans feared he would leave the state. But Robinson said his long-time relationship with the Kentucky staff paid off in the end.
"A couple of things they said when they were talking recently really stuck with me," Robinson said. "Being the hometown kid and knowing them for so long it’s really good to know that I can believe in them since they’ve been recruiting me for years."
It didn't hurt the Wildcats case that they are having one of the best season's in school history and have an obvious need for a player with Robinson's skillset going forward.
"The program is trending up and it’s exciting to be from the state and know I have a chance to play for them and potentially play in the SEC Championship Game," Robinson said. "I didn’t expect them to be at the point they are now, being ranked No. 9 in the country. I expected them to be better but they have exceeded my expectations."
Robinson can play wide receiver or running back at the next level and he said he expects to do both with the Wildcats.
"Their vision is getting me the ball in space a do a lot of different things" Robinson said. "At receiver, moving me into the backfield, whatever it takes. Hopefully at least 10 times a game, somehow someway and me being versatile I can do a lot of different things and I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
Robinson's announcement set the stage perfectly for the Wildcats home showdown against Georgia on Saturday and he said he's excited to visit campus for the game now that he's part of the Kentucky family.
"Everybody is really excited," Robinson said. "It’s really cool because people have talked about the hometown hero thing. I really feel like that I can be that hometown hero type guy. Walking into the stadium on Saturday will be amazing. A few people around the stadium usually know who I am but it will be really cool that I'll be there officially as a commit and I can't wait to experience it."
