The big and towering receiver pivoted back to the Seminoles amid NFL Draft and even portal chatter. He finally detailed why he chose to return.
Florida State secured two big returns in the Desir twins for the defensive side of the football. But the biggest return on offense broke his silence on why he chose to run it back.
Big receiver Duce Robinson overheard NFL draft chatter, plus had some thoughts about the portal. But he broke his silence on Friday regarding why he chose to return to Tallahassee.
"I believe in Florida State. I believe in what coach [Mike] Norvell is doing. I believe in a lot of the coaches he brought in, a lot of the players he brought in. And I believe in the guys that we have returning," Robinson began during his press conference. "So, we have the opportunity to do something special."
But was there ever any thought of departing Tallahassee?
"I didn't want to leave," Robinson stated. "Having the season we had last year, it felt unfair to the fans because they gave me so much. I want to try to give them something in return."
Robinson calls his 2025 a "pretty successful season." He went on to new career bests in his transfer to USC.
The 6-foot-6 target caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns. Robinson produced five 100-yard games in his FSU debut. He also caught nine passes in two games last season against Virginia and Clemson. Robinson even grabbed six receptions for 87 yards against Miami -- the same Hurricanes playing for the national title on Monday night.
"But my success isn't a reflection of the team success," Robinson said. "I want my success to be a reflection of the team success [for 2026]."
He then laid out his ultimate goal for the 2026 Noles.
"When mid-January rolls around, we're still being talked about," Robinson said, implying he's envisioning a College Football Playoff run.
Witnessing the success of the Canes likely inspired such a vision. Miami entered the 12-team postseason tournament as the lone Atlantic Coast Conference team. The Canes also were overhearing how they didn't belong there, after failing to win the ACC title. But there Miami was, facing Indiana for the college football crown.
Robinson's return helps increase Florida State's chances of making a bowl run. FSU managed to improve to 5-7 following a disastrous 2-10 campaign on 2024. Yet not long ago the Noles delivered a 13-1 campaign and narrowly missed the postseason when the format was a four-team one.
The receiver will be joined by some new teammates, too. Edge rusher Rylan Kennedy comes over via Texas A&M, and safety CJ Richard of Illinois State is one more key addition as well.
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