As we continue to countdown to kickoff at Virginia Tech on September 3rd, i decided to rank the Most Important Flames. Admittedly, I got this idea from Virginia Tech beat-writer Andy Bitter who’s doing the same thing for the Hokies. This is a list of the players whose success is most crucial for Liberty doing well this season. It’s not a list of the best or most talented Flames, but most important. Keep that in mind as we go through this countdown.
Robbins name keeps popping up in the various season previews we are running so much so that perhaps his name is too low on this list. Yet, here he is at #8 on our list of the most important Flames for 2016.
Robbins was part of Gill’s very large 2013 signing class that saw over 20 signees. He’s seen playing time in 37 games during the first 3 years of his career, but has never started a game as he’s played behind Nick Sigmon and Jimmy O’Grady. Now, he’s suddenly a team leader and captain of the defense.
His 34 total tackles from 2015 will certainly be higher in 2016, but how will he adjust to being a leader? When asked at media day this week if the team will be ready to play in front of 70,000 fans at Virginia Tech, Robbins responded by saying, “Enter Sandman is my favorite song to come out to.”
Behind him and Nick Newman at linebacker, there’s virtually zero experience. Lucas Irons is the only other linebacker on the roster with playing experience even though it was just 9 games last season. So, not only does he need to be productive, he needs to stay healthy. Liberty’s success in 2016 depends on it.
