Vince Marrow on Wan'Dale Robinson's draft decision: "It'll be really interesting."

Wan’Dale Robinson has a decision to make. Finishing Kentucky’s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa with 10 catches for 170 yards, the junior playmaker finished the year with the most receiving yards (1,334) and catches (104) in a single season for a player in school history. It was also his sixth 100-yard game of the year, good for second on UK’s single-season list.

Robinson’s debut season as a Wildcat was nothing short of spectacular. Now, though, it’s time for the Frankfort, KY native to decide if it will be his lone season as a Wildcat. Will he return for his senior year or enter the 2022 NFL Draft?

Decision coming soon

“I’m going to sit down with my family, talk with them and just figure out what’s best for us,” Robinson said after Kentucky’s 20-17 win in the Citrus Bowl. “That decision, I feel like, will come soon.”

Over the course of three years at Nebraska and Kentucky, Robinson has accumulated 195 catches for 2,248 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns to go with 691 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. It’s been a career filled with production and playmaking, making him a sure-fire draft selection this spring. Standing 5-11, 185 pounds, though, size is a fair concern, especially for a physical player like Robinson. It’s the only reason the junior receiver isn’t seen as a lock to come off the board in the first round.

Millions of reasons to return

Name, Image, and Likeness is also a factor, with an in-state superstar like Robinson potentially having millions of reasons to come back for one final year. If he’s not a first- or second-rounder, he’d almost certainly make more money coming back to school than he would in the NFL.

It’s why Vince Marrow says Robinson has a “really interesting” choice to make in the immediate future. If his draft stock is too strong to pass up, he’ll clearly go. If he slips past that third-round line, the expectation is that he will return to Kentucky.

“You all know the elephant in the room, No. 1 (Wan’Dale Robinson),” Marrow told KSR on this week’s edition of Sunday Morning Sports Talk. “… I’m very close to his family. We will talk. From what Wan’Dale’s telling me, if he has a good grade from first, second or third (round), he would most likely go. If not, I think he’ll come back. But let’s be honest, after that last chant in the stadium, he could probably get over a $1 million NIL deal — those people really want him back. He’s going to do what’s best for him.”

Learning from Lynn Bowden

He compared the situation to that of Lynn Bowden Jr., who was selected in the third round (No. 80 overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. It seemed like a clear decision at the time, but now, the former Wildcat star regrets leaving after his junior season. Serious NIL money being thrown around only adds to the intrigue.

“Lynn Bowden told me when he was here the last game, ‘Man, now I wish I had stayed another year. I really miss it here, I wish I would’ve stayed,'” Marrow said.

The opportunity for a special season

UK has the foundation set for a strong 2022 season regardless. With Robinson back in the fold, though, we’re talking about the possibility of a truly special year in Lexington.

“The dude in one year made a significant impact on our program,” Marrow said. “… People in this state and Big Blue Nation, to have one of your own do what he’s done, I think they should be proud of who this young man is. They should thank his parents. His dad is an awesome dude — I’m not for sure his dad really wants him to go.

“It’ll be really interesting. If we get him back, we get that dude back, phew. Man, we’re going to be good. We’re going to be pretty good if he leaves, but we’ll be pretty good if he comes back.”

Who else will return?

What about the players outside of Robinson? Josh Paschal confirmed after the Citrus Bowl he will enter the draft, while Will Levis previously announced he will be returning for his senior season. Marrow has one key player he’s pushing to come back, along with some other seniors he’s confident will return in 2022.

“Dare Rosenthal was missed heavily. We gave up seven sacks (in the Citrus Bowl), we’ve got to get him back,” he said. “I think we’ve got some seniors that are coming back — I don’t want to ruin their (moment).”

Levis’ return to school should not be glossed over, either. With one more year of development under Liam Coen, Marrow believes the Kentucky gunslinger will be among the first quarterbacks selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Will (Levis) is huge. I think Will can be a first-round pick next year, I really do,” Marrow said. “He can make every throw, he’s a guy that’s developed under Liam (Coen). I really do being one of the top quarterbacks in the draft next year.”

Wouldn’t hurt to have his top receiving target back with him to help make that happen.