Football: Robertson to play at Utah State

All along, Douglas High senior Parker Robertson has just been hoping for a chance to play at the next level.

As of late last week, it appears the 6-4, 275-pound offensive lineman is going to get just that.

Robertson accepted an offer to be a preferred walk-on at Utah State University last week.

"It's a good deal," he said. "I'll be on the team, I received a good academic scholarship and if I work hard, they'll reevaluate my status at the end of every year and I could earn an athletic scholarship too."

Robertson was heavily recruited coming into the school year, receiving interest from a number of major programs, but a lot of the interest tapered off after a mid-season knee injury.

While he was back on the playing field within two weeks and finished out the year with second-team all-state and first-team all-region and all-league honors, he went unsigned when the national signing period opened in February.

Utah State came into the picture rather late in the game and Robertson took an unofficial visit two weeks ago.

"They called and said they were interested in getting me out there for a visit," he said. "It was great. They have brand new facilities and a lot of good academic programs that I have some interest in studying " veterinary medicine, teaching, engineering."

Utah State hired coach Gary Andersen in December. Andersen was the assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Utah for the past five seasons.

Robertson said he narrowed his choice down to Utah State and Southwest Baptist, although he said Southern Oregon and Willamette were still showing interest toward the end.

"What it came down to was Utah State was a lot closer to home than Southwest Baptist, so a lot more of my family could watch me play," he said. "It's division I football, which is what I had wanted all along.

"I'm excited for the opportunity. It's what I've worked for, but I know I have a lot more work ahead of me if I want to succeed at that level."

Utah State has about five underclassman linemen on the roster currently and signed three more in February.

Robertson was ranked the 29th-best athlete at any position in the state by Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him a "two-star" rating along with ranking him No. 11 in Nevada at any position, No. 1 in the state among linemen and No. 104 in the country at offensive guard.

"It's wonderful to have my college choice settled," Robertson said. "It's a weight off my shoulders. I don't have to think about which school I'm going to or wonder who is going to call today. It's nice to know where I'm going."