Receiver aspires to greatness
After record-setting freshman season, goals are even higher
Demetris Robertson surged onto the college football scene last season, posting numbers that topped Cal’s freshman marks for catches and receiving yards and that drew nearly unanimous glowing reviews. The lone dissenter? Himself. “It wasn’t really big to me,” the 6-foot, 190-pound speed burner said. “I don’t think it was a great season. I don’t consider myself a great receiver yet.”
The key word in Robertson’s evaluation is probably “yet.” Cal’s most talented player is regularly the last one off the practice field, working for hours after his teammates have retired to the locker room or ice baths, to perfect his craft.
“He’s obviously very tal- ented, but the want-to is there,” head coach Justin Wilcox said. “… The speed and the quickness are obvious. He’s a competitive guy. He’s strong.
“He’s got a lot of God-given ability, but he works at it, too.”
Robertson grew up in Savannah, Ga., where he and his twin sister spent hours doodling. He sketched a little bit of everything, some that is framed and
all that is meticulously stored by his mother.
He didn’t consider his aptitude for art to be anything more than a hobby until he took an advanced-placement class his senior year at Savannah Christian High. That prompted him to take a class in sustainable environmental design at Cal, which made Robertson start thinking about turning his drawing skills into a career.
“Art was just something that made me very relaxed and chill. I could zone out everything,” he said. “I just fell in love with it. … I want my own business designing houses or doing construction management.”
That will have to wait until Robertson is done playing football, a career that promises to follow Cal’s line of great receivers into the NFL.
Last season, Robertson had 50 catches to pass Keenan Allen’s freshman record at Cal and 767 receiving yards to top DeSean Jackson’s mark. Robertson has been clocked at 10.46 seconds in the 100-meter dash and has showcased his explosive athleticism with a 36-inch box jump.
“He’s lethal,” Cal sophomore receiver Melquise Stovall said.
Sophomore quarterback Ross Bowers said: “He can stretch the field like not many people can, but you can tell he’s really put in the work to focus on every intermediate and short route. He’s a very easy guy to throw to. He creates separation, knows what he’s supposed to do and executes at a very high level. I think he can do it all.”
Even senior running back Tre Watson, who confidently claims to have the best hands in the nation and believes he could start at any position on the field, concedes that Robertson is by far the Bears’ fastest player.
Robertson has all of the talent, without any of the diva qualities that often come with great receivers.
“As a kid, I never had to work on my wide receiver skills, because I always had God-given athleticism,” he said in a postpractice interview, during which he never lost eye contact and consistently started or ended his responses with “sir.” “But I’m trying to develop my game and get better. I’m trying to do anything I can do to make myself better and to make my team better.”
The Biletnikoff Award candidate generally just lined up outside and ran deep last season. This year, he’s learning every receiver spot and the entire route tree.
Cal’s new offense demands that receivers recognize the defense, release efficiently and set up defenders with precise steps and timing. Robertson loves the heady stuff.
“He always texts me about meeting or working,” receivers coach Nicholas Edwards said. “He just wants more information, so he can be the total package. He’s taking it like a sponge and learning it quickly. …
“Speed is the No. 1 thing people look for. He has that and all of the intangibles. He’s a guy whose ceiling is unknown, but I don’t think he’s topping out anytime soon.”
Robertson, who was considered the nation’s top receiver in his class by 247Sports and Rivals, could have transferred anywhere in the country when the new coaching staff was hired during the offseason.
He wasn’t tempted to go to No. 1 Alabama or anywhere else.
“Ever since the new coaching staff came here, I feel a different energy and vibe,” Robertson said. “They harp on the little details and emphasize the culture. You can see it on the field in how we’re playing together. …
“I can feel the energy. I think Coach Wilcox is the guy to turn things around.”
When they do, it will likely start with the ball in Robertson’s hands. Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron
“Speed is the No. 1 thing people look for. He has that and all of the intangibles. He’s a guy whose ceiling is unknown, but I don’t think he’s topping out anytime soon.” Nicholas Edwards, Cal receivers coach