Bond between Auburn LB coach Christian Robinson, South Carolina 4-star LB commit Grayson Howard 'is for life'
Grayson “Pup” Howard is one of the top linebackers in the 2023 class. He has met many college coaches from many different schools over the past three years.
But one always has stood out.
“Coach C-Rob,” Howard said.
“Coach C-Rob” is Christian Robinson, the former Florida linebackers coach who now holds the same position at Auburn. Robinson and Howard first met during Howard’s sophomore year at Andrew Jackson in Jacksonville, Fla.
The relationship grew from there.
“He was recruiting me when he was at Florida and we have been close ever since,” Howard said. “We were close when he was at Florida, close when he didn’t know where he was going to go and now we’re close with him at Auburn.
“He’s just a great people person. We talk about once a week just catching up on life. I’ve met his wife. We talk about life more than football. We just have a special bond.”
Robinson-Howard have ‘lifelong relationship’
Howard is committed to South Carolina and has been since June. Robinson, however, continues to recruit and make Howard a priority.
Last Friday night was the first chance college coaches had to go on the road evaluating high school recruits.
Robinson’s first stop? Jacksonville, Fla. to see Howard play.
“It absolutely means something to me that he was there,” he said. “That just shows you the kind of relationship we have and the kind of person he is.”
Might Howard return the favor and visit Auburn?
“I don’t have anything planned so far,” he said. “Me and Coach C-Rob have a great relationship, so if I did decide to visit Auburn it would be strictly because of him.”
Howard said he’s locked in with his South Carolina commitment. He took an official visit to Columbia in June and plans to attend the Gamecocks’ games against Georgia (Sept. 17) and Texas A&M (Oct. 22).
Should he remain committed to South Carolina and sign, it wouldn’t affect his relationship with Robinson.
“We have a great relationship,” he said. “And it will definitely be a lifelong relationship between me and him.”
