Robinson wants to return to AU

AUBURN - Running back Jovon Robinson will not play football at Auburn this season, but Tiger coach Gene Chizik said Friday Robinson wants to return and will be eligible to return if he takes care of business.

Running back Jovon Robinson

Robinson's immediate options, Chizik said, are junior college or prep school. If he goes to junior college, he will be required to stay through two seasons and graduate. If he goes to prep school, he could return after one year as a true freshman with five seasons to play four.

"Obviously, if he does what he needs to do either place, he would be eligible to come back here," Chizik said.

Robinson, Chizik said, wants to return to Auburn.

"Oh, without question, he wants to come back here," Chizik said."No doubt."

Robinson has not practiced since Aug. 10, when a guidance counselor at Wooddale High School in Memphis admitted altering his transcripts and resigned. Friday, Auburn got the word he had been ruled ineligible. He attended summer school at Auburn but was not allowed to enroll for fall classes.

The NCAA has spoken to officials at Auburn and in Memphis. Auburn has not been implicated in the grade changes.

"We got the final verdict he is ruled a nonqualifier by the (NCAA) Eligibility Center," Chizik said. "He's not enrolled in school, obviously. We are looking for the best option for him outside of Auburn. Our focus right now is to get him in the best situation we can to help him in his future. We are still looking into that."

Robinson, Chizik said, took the news hard.

"It's been a tough road in the last few hours," Chizik said. "As you can imagine, he's down."

Robinson was drawing glowing reviews from coaches before he was removed from practice. As a senior at Wooddale, he rushed for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns.

With Robinson's departure, Auburn will go into the season-opener with senior Onterio McCalebb, sophomores Tre Mason and Corey Grant and redshirt freshman Mike Blakeley at tailback.