The 2021 season didn't go as planned for Jaylon Robinson. After reeling in nearly 1,000 receiving yards in his UCF debut the season before, "Flash" was looking for a big follow-up but a knee injury in the third game at Louisville sidelined him for weeks. He did eventually return towards the end of the year, but he wasn't 100 percent. Robinson said he's motivated more than ever to have a big bounce back in 2022.
We caught up with him following Thursday's practice.
What's the status report at about the midway point of spring?
"We look great. A lot of new talent that I don't think y'all know about. Just seeing those guys fly around. It's been a good spring so far."
What does Flash think about Auburn transfer Kobe Hudson?
"Explosion. Great hands. Just a football player. I like football players. He does everything right most of the time. He's a go-getter. He wants to win. Winning is his main motto."
Flash suffered a knee injury early last season at Louisville, then was only available on a limited basis towards the end of the year.
"It was very frustrating. I think I learned a lot from it. I was down when I got hurt. It made me realize how much I love football. So just getting back into it and coming back I think I'm gonna go 10 years harder this year because I know how it feels not to have it.
"I got a lot to prove. I missed a lot of the season and when I came back I felt I didn't help the team as much as I should have or could have. I'm just ready to get back on that field."
Flash said he's "about 85 percent" in terms of his health.
Mikey Keene is a "smart dude." He's "strategic." Flash says they talk a lot and plan things out. "We have real good chemistry."
Who is emerging at WR?
"Kobe (Hudson) and JG (Jaylon Griffin) have been battling. That's a tough one. They both ball. I don't know how that decision is gonna come. They're both ballers. I hope they're both on the field at the same time. Amari Johnson is stepping up. He does everything right as well. I like Cullen (Smith). He's a walk-on. He fights hard and is doing nice too."
I asked more about Jaylon Griffin.
"He grew a lot. You can tell how he runs his routes. He's more confident. I think everything about college football is about confidence. Once you're confident, it's just playing football and he's playing football now."
What did he think of the scrimmage?
"I know we can the ball. That's my biggest takeaway. I like seeing that. Once you can run the ball, you can throw it more. Seeing everybody moving forward, nobody really going backwards. That's something positive you like to see."
What's his outlook for the 2022 UCF offense?
"It's too much talent. I don't know why we couldn't be top in the country. We're aiming for No. 1. I'm pretty sure we should be No. 1. We're gonna be No. 1. I'm gonna stick to that statement."
On working with his new WR coach, Grant Heard, Flash said he's "fun." He brings the positive energy and makes you want to practice.
Flash said his confidence right now is "good" but not "great" even though "he's getting there." Said his knee is sometimes still sore.
Asked about the standout player from Tuesday's scrimmage, Flash name dropped RB Johnny Richardson. "He's just fast and quick and breaks tackles. It's fun watching him."
