Jason Robinson Jr. Has A Special Bond With The Notre Dame Staff
On Valentine’s Day, 2024 Long Beach (Calif.) Poly star pass catcher Jason Robinson Jr. announced that he was decommitting from USC and reopening his recruitment. The California native has been a player that Notre Dame fans have been excited about for some time even while still rock solid to that pledge.
With Robinson back on the market, there is an opportunity for Notre Dame to put their best foot forward over the next several months. Luckily, the program has already been building a stellar relationship with the Robinson family for some time.
Both Jason and his mother, Miki Robinson, went in depth on their relationship with the Notre Dame staff and their interest in the Irish. There is a lot to figure out for the family but there is no question that there is high interest in Notre Dame.
“I’m sorting out the schools that I definitely want to see but Notre Dame is definitely right near the top of the list,” Robinson said. “I really have a great relationship with Coach (Chansi) Stuckey and the rest of the staff. The visit to Notre Dame also still sticks with me. It was a tremendous experience.”
No matter who you talk to from the Robinson family, it is very apparent just how much of an impact that Coach Stuckey has had on them all. According to Miki, he is an authentic and caring man who truly wants the best for people around him.
“One thing I like about Coach Stuckey is how faith based he is,” his mother said. “I don’t think many people know this but he used to be a pastor locally here in Los Angeles. When we walked into his office, he had several bible verses written on his whiteboard.
“When you see how he interacts with his wide receiver room, how much he cares really comes out,” she continued. “Him and his wife are very open. They have the players over, help them with homework at times, really so much support and love.”
That deep love and admiration for others is especially true of the players he coaches and developing relationships with potential future members of the team. It isn’t just about football for Stuckey. There is definitely a higher purpose.
“He doesn’t just check in about football,” Miki said. “He checks in with all of us about everything, about life. Coach Stuckey has made it a priority to get to know Jason at a deeper level and it isn’t just the position coach reaching out.
“The whole staff reaches out to the family,” she continued. “Even Coach Freeman reaches out personally which means a lot. That’s one thing that makes Notre Dame very unique.”
Now the fact is the minute you hear a Southern California standout, you have an assumption that the fit at Notre Dame may not be too seamless. Judging by Jason’s photos in the snow during the Boston College weekend, that assumption may come to be incorrect.
As it turns out, Robinson isn’t afraid of leaving California. For him, it’s all about finding home away from home.
“Going away from home really isn’t a big problem for me,” he said. “My family supports me fully to make a great decision. It’s really about finding the fit that will be the best long term decision for me.”
As is usually the case, the Notre Dame pitch is an easy to see to the parents. While it will ultimately be Jason’s decision, it’s obvious that Miki definitely approves of what Notre Dame can provide.
“Notre Dame carries that Ivy League caliber reputation as a school,” she said. “They have a brotherhood that runs so deep into the alumni base. Even players that don’t go to the league are still so valued in that network and are always a phone call away. There are always opportunities to still be successful outside of football.
“I do think that Notre Dame could be something good for Jason,” Miki continued. “To be honest, I don’t think he really thought so until he visited. That chance to be on campus really stood out and stuck with him. The program brings those old school principals that are so refreshing and important.”
She thought back to that initial visit a couple of months ago and it still sticks with the family. Seeing everything, experiencing the history in South Bend; it was a special trip.
“All the historical structures are what really stuck with me,” she relived. “Seeing the special places like the grotto was special. The boys got the chance to light their own candles and say a prayer. Hearing them talk about the campus afterwards was unique. Calling the place beautiful, it was something that isn’t vocabulary that the boys are always comfortable saying.”
The next few months will be jam packed with visits and trying to find the right fit. Another stop in South Bend also appears firmly in the cards.
“We didn’t get a chance to tour the classrooms, the dorms and all of those facilities,” Miki explained. “Those are probably things that are more for an official visit. Notre Dame is a place that I think Jason will definitely want to take an official to.”
Where this recruitment goes from here remains to be seen. One thing is for certain, the Notre Dame staff and the Robinson family have developed a deep and meaningful relationship so far.
Look for the two sides to continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Robinson could ultimately end up as a massive recruiting win for the Notre Dame staff down the road, built off of authenticity and admiration.
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