The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Luke Wenker A highly touted in-state recruit, Keith Robertson didn't qualify out of high school and was forced to head to junior college. The junior, however, was finally admitted for spring term.

Since junior high school, it has been a dream of Keith Robertson's to suit up in Oregon State orange and black. Now his dream finally came true last week as the junior college transfer joined the team this spring and suited up for the Beavers for the spring football campaign.

"Ever since I was in junior high, one of my high school coaches, (Oregon State Hall of Fame member) Steve Coury, has been my big mentor in my life, and ever since the eighth grade, he's always pushing me to wear the orange and black," Robertson said. "I had other opportunities, scholarships for other schools, but this is the main place that has been committed to me, and I have been committed to them."

Robertson, a junior defensive lineman out of Lake Oswego, originally committed to Oregon State, but due to academic restrictions, he could not get in.

"Oregon State has recruited me for the last three or four years," said Robertson. "I signed two letter of intents in 2003 and 2006. I had to go to junior college for two years because I didn't qualify out of high school, so I had to go there and do the JC requirements in order to transfer to a Division I-A school."

While playing at Foothill Community College in California, Robertson earned All-California first-team defense in 2004 and 2005, and was selected third-team JC All-American. But the switch to Division-IA has been tough.

"It's a big transition, The speed is so much faster, and junior college prepares you just a little bit. So I'm glad I'm here in the spring and not in the fall like other JC transfers," Robertson said. "I'm kind of getting a head start so I already know. Coming here in the fall right before the season will be a very tough transition. You have to be very well prepared, just the terminology, all the play calls, it's a lot different."

Teammates have taken a liking to the transfer, as he was in on a few tackles during Monday's spring practice.

"I'm just happy to have him here," senior safety Daniel Drayton said. It's been a while. He's made an impact immediately right when he got here. I'm happy for him and his family."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools