Robinson glad he remains a Cyclone

AMES - Alexander Robinson was a goner.

Before he'd ever carried the football in a game or even gone through a spring practice, Robinson said goodbye to Iowa State. He didn't leave school, but quit the team back in February 2007 and went as far as to make contact with Minnesota coaches about joining his hometown program as a walk-on.

“A lot was going on,” Robinson said. “I was struggling with a lot of things. I didn't feel like I wanted to be here. I felt like maybe I wanted to go home ... I wanted my family around me. It was something that was constantly on my mind every day and every night.”

Ultimately it was advice from family who helped the tailback realize ISU was where he should be. Three months later Robinson asked then-coach Gene Chizik if he could return.

“I sat down and talked with a lot of people,” Robinson said. “I felt like this was the best place for me to grow both as a football player and as a man. I'm glad I came back.”

So is the rest of Cyclone Nation.

Robinson's rushing totals and role in the offense have grown each year, and now entering his final season the senior is looking for his biggest yet.

Robinson ran for 1,195 yards last season, third-most in the Big 12 Conference. He's trying to become the first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher at ISU since Ennis Haywood (2000-01) and with a big year could finish up as one of the most prolific rushers in school history.

“I'm working hard trying to get my body to that level where I can exceed what I did last year,” said Robinson, who had the seventh-best all-purpose total by a Cyclone back despite missing nearly two full games due to injury.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder researched methods on keeping his body healthy and fresh.

This spring Robinson and a few teammates began hopping in 55-degree cold tubs after every workout. He's stretching more, improving his eating habits and even bought a yoga DVD to try out.

“It's supposed to be good for you. We'll see,” he said.

Robinson already has his diploma from ISU.

He needs to be in classes this fall in order to play, but is taking nothing toward a degree.

He doesn't have a girlfriend. He's focused on football, and has been for the last several months with practices and workouts.

“Everything else was on the back burner,” Robinson said. “When I came in, mentally and physically I was locked in to what I had to do. I don't have any issues to deal with. (My life) is pretty simple right now.”

As for his team, ISU is being pegged by most everyone for last place in the North Division.

The Cyclones went 7-6 a year ago and return many of the same players, but face a brutally tough schedule considered one of the toughest in the nation.

“I think we've got a lot of fight in us,” Robinson said. “People are underestimating us, overlooking us and kinda counting us out as underdogs. I'm expecting a lot from this team. Expectations are high amongst ourselves, regardless of what anybody else thinks.”

The team's success will depend greatly on his durability and productivity. Robinson carried the ball 232 times last season and caught 17 passes out of the backfield.

A big year individually is fine, but ‘A-Rob' is more than about satisfying personal goals.

“I want the Ws,” he said. “That's what people remember.”