Nation’s top receiver Demetris Robertson picks California over Georgia, Notre Dame
As Demetris Robertson walked to his seat at the designated podium, heavy raindrops could be heard pounding hard against the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame’s roof.
The loud and continuous tapping competed with Robertson’s calm voice, as he began to announce which college he would continue his football career at. The sudden burst of rain became a strange sense of foreshadowing for the select Georgia fans in attendance, who seemed to believe Robertson, a standout athlete at Savannah Christian Prep, would stay in-state and play for the Bulldogs.
Instead, Robertson announced he would attend California by unveiling a painting of the program’s logo underneath a a long black sheet. A hush came over the audience, which seemed in disbelief as to what it had just witnessed. Before any applause, one woman could be heard shouting a surprised, “Oh!”
Once the applause died down, another woman, decked out in Georgia attire, said, “Well this was a waste to come to.”
Georgia fans began filing out of the College Football Hall of Fame room as reporters asked Robertson why he chose a program more than 2,500 miles away.
“When I went there it felt like home,” Robertson said. “I know I’ll be homesick a lot. But I know I’ll get over it. My mom is going to miss me a lot. She talks about that a lot. But I want to do the best thing for me and my family.”
Robertson chose the Golden Bears over Georgia and Notre Dame.
Not being able to land Robertson is a blow for the Bulldogs, who were hoping to add speed to their receiver group. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has stated his desire to add speed on the perimeter, which is something Robertson possesses a great deal of. Robertson said he hadn’t told any coaching staff his decision prior to his announcement.
Not too long after the ceremony, Smart tweeted a congratulations to Robertson for his college choice.
@d_rob4 congrats on your decision! Cal is lucky to have you. Best of luck in Berkeley.
— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) May 1, 2016
Robertson said he had a feeling California would be his destination for the past two weeks. He added his decision was a tough one, noting that Smart and the Georgia coaching staff made it tough to go elsewhere.
But another deciding factor for Robertson, he said, was the education California has to offer.
“I always told myself I’d rather have a million-dollar business than a million-dollar contract in the NFL,” Robertson said.
While Robertson didn’t play much receiver in high school, he’s projected to be an elite target at the next level due to his blend of speed and athleticism.
Smart had been recruiting Robertson since he was an assistant at Alabama.
“He’s a really talented player that we obviously recruited hard,” Smart said in April. “I’ve had a relationship with the kid since his ninth-grade year, recruiting him at Alabama and then coming here and recruiting him. We have a good relationship with him. We think a lot of him talent-wise.”
Robertson’s announcement ends a drawn-out recruitment that lasted nearly three months after National Signing Day.
Robertson, a 5-foot-11 and 175-pound athlete, is considered the nation’s No. 1 receiver, according to the 247Sports.com composite. In addition to football, Robertson plans to compete with California’s track and field team.
This story was originally published May 1, 2016 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Nation’s top receiver Demetris Robertson picks California over Georgia, Notre Dame."