It’s fair to say that senior receiver Demetris Robertson’s time at Georgia hasn’t quite turned out close to what most Bulldog fans envisioned. Some may even claim that the former five-star prospect, No. 8 overall in 2016, has been a downright disappointment since he transferred from California in 2018.
In nearly three full years at Georgia, Robertson’s numbers of receiving yards (431) and touchdowns (four) are approximately half of what he totaled in 14 games playing for the Golden Bears. According to his head coach, what was expected from “D-Rob” when he became a Bulldog was evidently impractical.
“He’s a kid that probably came in with unrealistic expectations, which I think is so unfair and causes these kids so much undo unrest,” Smart said regarding Robertson. “What happens is, all the people around them and all the support elements they have—their family, friends—put this pressure on them. D-Rob did nothing to deserve that.”
After the Savannah native transferred from California to be closer to home, Robertson’s Georgia career got off to an exposive start. Early in the second quarter of the 2018 season opener against Austin Peay, he rushed for a 72-yard touchdown on an end-around the first time he touched the ball as a Bulldog. However, Robertson wound up not catching a single pass all season.
After being third on the team in receiving in 2019 (30 catches for 333 yards), Robertson has been limited to only 10 receptions this season for 98 yards. Still, according to him, the 6-foot-0, 190-pound wideout has only done what has been asked of him while playing for the Bulldogs.
“Obviously, people have seen what I did at Cal. Every situation is different. These are two totally different [offensive] systems in how we [emphasize running] the ball,” Robertson said. “I’m just doing what I have the opportunity to do and what Coach [Smart] wants me to do.”
Although making just 10 receptions in eight games this season, Robertson has been targeted only 13 times. His 76.9 targets-caught percentage ranks first among Georgia’s receivers targeted multiple times. Robertson’s playing time has also increased the last two games, including against Mississippi State, when his three-catch, 45-yard outing marked the first time he'd made a reception in six weeks.
“All he does is work really hard for us,” Smart said. “He’s a good football player, and been really helpful, and even more recently started to make some more plays. We're hoping he can continue to do that."
With as many as a few games remaining this season, along with the potential to return to Georgia in 2021 to play a final campaign, Robertson could very well continue to make even more plays. Still, whatever his future at Georgia holds, he is simply happy he returned home—and he's pleased to be a Bulldog.
“I’m just happy to be back home, supported by Georgians, being close to my family,” Robertson said. “I’m just happy being part of this great, historic program.”
