Four-star offensive lineman Greg Robinson will be a Tiger next season.
But whether he will be an LSU Tiger or an Auburn Tiger still remains to be seen.
The 6-foot-5-inch, 285 pound Thibodaux native plans to announce his decision in mid-November but has not specified an exact date. Shea Dixon, managing editor of TigerSportsDigest.com, said Robinson may wait and announce his decision at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January.
Robinson will make an official visit to Auburn this weekend for the matchup between No. 4 Auburn and No. 6 LSU. He has already made two visits to Baton Rouge for the West Virginia and Tennessee games and will make one more Nov. 6 when LSU takes on Alabama.
But even as crunch time approaches for Robinson, Derek Ponamsky, recruiting analyst for Bayou Bengals Insider, said LSU has taken both a hard and soft approach with his recruitment.
“[Recruiting coordinator and running backs coach] Frank Wilson has done a fantastic job,” Ponamsky said. “He has allowed Greg the opportunity to see both places and make his decision. They’re willing to go all the way to the end with him.”
Rivals.com ranks Robinson as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2011 class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state. Ponamsky said his size and athleticism set him apart from other elite offensive linemen.
“He has the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen in the country,” Ponamsky said. “He has a demeanor that would lend itself very well to being a very good run blocker. He has the talent, the footwork and the arm span to be a very good pass blocker, as well.”
Early playing time has played a key factor in Robinson’s decision — something Dixon said both Auburn and LSU have been able to offer. But LSU’s proximity to home may tip the scale in the Bayou Bengals’ favor.
“The family environment is going to be big,” Dixon said. “LSU has gotten his mom, dad and grandparents in their corner. They’d like for Greg to stay near them so they can watch him play. The value of family is oftentimes greater than anything else.”
Robinson marks the second elite recruit to come out of Thibodaux High School in as many years. Last year, wide receiver Trovon Reed ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver in the class of 2010, according to Scout.com, and ultimately committed to Auburn. Robinson’s current teammate Trey Granier, a linebacker in the class of 2012, has already received a scholarship offer from LSU.
Ponamsky said playing with former high school teammates plays a significant role in most recruits’ decisions.
“When you look at the big picture, having another guy on your team that you can potentially play with is always something these guys like to talk about,” Ponamsky said.
LSU would like Robinson to join a recruiting class that ESPN currently ranks No. 6 in the nation.
Ponamsky said some of the Tigers’ commitments recognize the importance of signing Robinson and have done their part in bringing him to Baton Rouge.
“When you look at the players that LSU has in this class and the leaders that these guys are, they work just as hard as the coaching staff at making sure this is the best class possible,” Ponamsky said.
Should Robinson choose LSU, he would join La’el Collins, the No. 4 overall recruit according to Rivals.com, on an offensive line that Dixon believes could be one of the best in the country.
“The anticipation is if you get both of those guys in, and eventually they’re going to anchor your line for potentially three or maybe four years,” Dixon said.
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]