CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay football’s Bryce Robinson has been a noteworthy name on the gridiron locally long before becoming a Governor. The Clarksville Academy product set numerous program and state records in high school in part to his dual-threat talents under center.
Robinson reflected back on his time as a Cougar.
“I want to say football,” Robinson said of what he remembers the most. “It’s the reason why I went there along with Coach Hood (Todd). Playing those games on Fridays were the highlight of my time at CA and I had a great time doing it.”
Despite being a standout quarterback, the red-shirt freshman admitted to facing a slight learning curve since first setting foot on campus.
“It’s definitely a big jump,” Robinson said of the transition from high school to college. “It’s way faster, but I feel like me competing against some of the top players in the nation on the weekends playing 7-on-7’s and going to different camps, really helped me.
“CA also did a really good job of helping us prepare for college. On campus, I attend FCA meetings and I’m actually a mentor to the freshman athletes who can come to me and ask questions. It’s one of the main activities that I’ve really enjoyed since I’ve been here.”
On Sept. 19 in Austin Peay’s final game of their fall slate, Robinson made his collegiate debut at Cincinnati.
“At first I was a little nervous when I was first told I was going in,” Robinson said. “I’ve been waiting my whole life to be able to get into a college game and compete against a Division I school. After the first play was over, I calmed down and felt like I’ve been there before. I was ready to go from there… I’m very thankful for the opportunity that I got.”
Bryce’s late father Mike Robinson was a pillar in the Clarksville community for years, playing guitar and singing at many venues around town.
“He taught me everything,” Bryce said. “He helped me so much, whether it be driving me to camps or helping me with lessons. Just all the sacrifices he made for me. I don’t know where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for him.”
Bryce is currently backing up Governor starting quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall who was another highly-touted player coming out of high school. The two actually met prior to Bryce’s commitment to Austin Peay when Oatsvall played for the perennial powerhouse Brentwood Academy.
“He’s like my big brother on the team,” Bryce said. “He’s helped me out with so much whether it be in the film room or on the field. We talk almost every single day. Not just about football, but other stuff as well. I’m glad I’m able to sit behind him because he knows how things are supposed to be ran. I have a great relationship with him as a teammate and brother off the field.”
Last season, Austin Peay captured its first OVC title in 42 years and all signs pointed to a potential repeat before COVID made its impact on the college football world. As normalcy in the landscape slowly makes its way back, Bryce believes his team is poised to make another deep run in the spring.
“We were very blessed to have three games in the fall,” Bryce said. “Most teams didn’t get to do that. We had hardly any summer training and conditioning. We came straight into fall camp and just tried to get better every single day. I’m looking forward to the spring and we’re all very excited to run it back.”