Penalties Hit Home For Northview Senior, Penn State Recruit

July 24, 2012

The massive penalties handed down against Penn State on Monday are hitting home for a local high school football player.

Neiko Robinson, a senior at Northview High School, made a verbal commitment to Penn State and coach Bill O’Brien back in early June. But ESPN reported Monday that he now says he will have to look at other options.

In the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, the NCAA fined Penn State $60 million, banned them from bowl games for four years, cut 40 scholarships over four years and wiped out all of the Nittany Lions’ victories from 1998 to 2011.

“It’s a good school,” Robinson said about Penn State shortly after his verbal commitment.  “They are building their program again to be what it used to be in the past. I like where the coaching staff is going. They want guys that can be game changers, and I think  I can do that on the defensive side.”

But for now, Robinson will continue to focus on what looks to be a winning season for the Northview Chiefs.

“I’m looking for the state championship,” Robinson said.

Robinson is transferring from the nearby Flomaton Hurricanes, where was  part of last season’s 11-2 team. He racked up 93 tackles and returned three interceptions for touchdowns last year for the ‘Canes.

Comments

15 Responses to “Penalties Hit Home For Northview Senior, Penn State Recruit”

  1. NHS Alumni on July 27th, 2012 12:03 pm

    First of all, that’s a HUGE accomplishment for Northview to have a soon-to-be graduate being drafted by universities such as Penn State and others; usually they only get the “luck of the draw” with community colleges. This sound like a great choice to reconsider choices in college especially in the wake of this case and all of the penalties that were placed upon the team. All you can do is weigh your options and pick a school not only for football, but academics as well. And as a suggestion…WAR EAGLE! Auburn University is a great school! I should know, I’m there myself.

  2. kelly g on July 26th, 2012 9:48 pm

    Neiko you are wonderful and everything will work out perfectly for you! You will have a “feeling” about which direction to take;)

  3. PSU1Earl on July 26th, 2012 2:51 pm

    We are glad to have you as part of the Penn State family young man!

  4. common sense! on July 26th, 2012 12:05 am

    I’m as big of an Alabama fan as anyone out there. But this is not an Alabama-Auburn matter. Joe Paterno was one of the greatest coaches in the history of football. His knowledge, or lack of for that matter of what that “sicko” has done to those children should NOT affect his legacy. His players loved and respected him for what he accomplished, and the improvements he made in their lives. He, no matter what has be said, will remain a positive influence in the lives of so many people. The fact that this has been done, in such a way, will affect college football forever. What happens if a coach from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, or any other major football program has an assistant that commits any kind of offense that makes national headlines? Will Alabama have their last two national championships revoked? Will Auburn have their 1 revoked? This is NOT a move to better one college campus. It is a move for “sore losers” to have a way to say, “see, we DID win”! I’m definitely with the Roll Tide! And if you want to scream War Eagle, in vain, then do so. But this is not a time to be spurting down home pride. This is a mans legacy hanging in the balance, with a sick creep, tipping the scales in favor of sinking it. Justice will be served, and Vaseline stocks will go up, but Joe Paterno should NOT have to pay for something that Jerry Sandusky did.

  5. Mom on July 25th, 2012 11:40 am

    This is so sad that NCAA is punishing future students and players for an action the future players had nothing to do with. It’s a horrible situation and those who knew or participated should be punished not young men who are trying to do better for themselves. This is horrible that this student is being punished for a horrible act that he had nothing to do with or had nothing to do with m until the NCAA decided to punish him for someone else’s bad decision. Bad move NCAA…. But to Neiko, your plan may not be working as you planned but keep your head up and know that God has a bigger and better plan for you.

  6. JW on July 24th, 2012 11:17 pm

    WAR EAGLE! ;-)

  7. chrstefl on July 24th, 2012 10:52 pm

    WAR EAGLE!!!

  8. REDMAN on July 24th, 2012 10:12 pm

    I just saw on the news where Saban says he will go after Penn State players if they show interest.I know this young man wants to play for Penn State….but I think a trip to Bryant-Denny on game day would get his juices flowing crimson…..Roll Tide Roll !!

  9. PSU1Earl on July 24th, 2012 5:31 pm

    We are… Still PENN STATE!

    It not one individual, its not one name… There’s a reason we don’t have names on our jerseys…

    Black shoes, basic blues, no names, all game!

    Whatever you decide we (the Penn State family) will respect your decision. Do what feels right in your heart.

  10. cody on July 24th, 2012 4:49 pm

    Roll tide

  11. bigR on July 24th, 2012 1:33 pm

    WAR EAGLE

  12. MicheleG on July 24th, 2012 12:17 pm

    I hope you make the best decision for you and your family. Prayers!

  13. War Eagle on July 24th, 2012 7:45 am

    War Eagle all the way!!!!!

  14. old coach on July 24th, 2012 7:11 am

    WAR EAGLE

  15. ct on July 24th, 2012 3:48 am

    Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports