In a season of many lows, six Vandal football players end the campaign on a high note.
Punter Bobby Cowan, offensive lineman Matt Cleveland, tight end Michael LaGrone, cornerback Matt Harvey and linebackers Korey Toomer and Tre’Shawn Robinson were named second-team All-WAC.
Robinson said it’s a great honor to be selected, but if the team’s record had been better, more players would likely have been on the lists and some maybe even first team.
“A lot of times, guys that make a difference to have a winning record, those guys stand out more to the other coaches in the conference,” Robinson said. “I’m sure coach (Robb) Akey petitioned for us to be first-team”
Robinson concluded his career as a Vandal leading the team with 117 total tackles and four forced fumbles, and was the heart of the Vandal defense.
Coaches from the WAC cast votes for players to determine first and second teams, Robinson said.
He said having a punter like Cowan is a huge advantage to the defense, especially when the Vandal offense struggles.
“He (Cowan) was averaging 47 yards a punt … that’s gonna put us in a good position to maybe force a turnover down on their side of the field,” Robinson, the senior from Upland, Calif., said. “When other teams get down there close to their goal line, they get real cautious … That helps us be able to attack them because their backs are against the wall. Having a punter like Bobby is tremendous.”
Cowan is No. 2 in the nation averaging 46.41 yards per punt and will return as a four-year starter in 2012.
Toomer, a late-season staple to the Vandal defense and offense, is considered by Robinson as one of the best athletes he has seen.
“Korey Toomer is an amazing athlete. He does things I haven’t seen in a long time from guys in college. He’s so versatile,” Robinson said. “We can put him at rush-end, you can have him as a nickel back covering receivers or playing linebacker or even playing running back.”
Near the end of the season Toomer got carries as a short-yardage running back and punched it into the endzone three times including a two-point conversion. Toomer tallied a team-best 10.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Robinson also spoke highly of cornerback Matt Harvey.
“That guy (Harvey) — he’s really, really fast,” Robinson said. “He has really good instincts breaking on the ball. (The all-WAC honors) are well deserved.”
On the offensive side of the ball, LaGrone finished as Idaho’s fourth-leading receiver and averaged 12.5 yards per catch. In the trenches, Cleveland started every game on the offensive line since 2009. Cleveland was also instrumental in the 2009 Idaho bowl victory.
Robinson said the honors the players earned helped end the season a little better. He said he is ready for whatever comes next for him.
“I’m gonna finish up school and get my degree in May,” Robinson said. “I’ll probably stay up here (in Moscow) and train and go from there. If I have a chance to play in the NFL — I hope I do — then I’ll pursue that as well.”