Tarleton State University Athletics

STEPHENVILLE - A reversal in priorities was all Evan Robertson needed to find success - both in the classroom and on the gridiron.

Robertson, who played in 12 games as a true freshman at Division I FBS North Texas in 2006, says he spent his freshman year as an athlete-student, as opposed to being a student-athlete.

"I didn't have my priorities in order. It was football then school," Robertson says of falling behind academically and leaving both the sport and his college education on hold for two years.

"Coach Mac (former Tarleton head coach Sam McElroy) let me have a second chance, and I'm so glad, because now I'm making the most of it," Robertson continued. "I've changed majors, I'm making better grades and I'm getting to play again."

Robertson was originally a business major, but has switched to accounting. The result of his student-first approach can be seen in two semesters' worth of work.

"My first semester here (spring of 2009) I made four As and a C, and my second semester I made three Bs and a C," he said. "I know if I stay focused I can keep it up (in the classroom)."

Keeping his numbers up on the field has always come natural to Robertson, who caught UNT recruiters' attention by earning district offensive most valuable player honors and a spot on the All-CenTex Team as a high school standout at Pflugerville.

UNT had every intention of making Robertson a regular in its backfield rotation, giving him 78 carries as a true freshman. He gained 381 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and scored twice that season, but never again wore green and white on a Saturday.

"He had some (academic) trouble and didn't play for a couple years," says new Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler. "He's a guy who needed a second chance, and we're glad we gave it to him."

Tarleton had a connection to Pflugerville and Robertson because TSU linebackers coach Henry Coffer was his position coach in high school.

"(Coffer) knew about him and knew he could play," Fowler said. "More important, he knew he was a good kid who just needed to focus on what's important, and he's done that since he's been here."

Robertson was a sophomore last fall, and by the end of the season was getting more carries than Lone Star Conference South Division Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Roderick Smith.

Smith battled nagging minor injuries throughout his senior season, but when the two were healthy and spelling each other regularly, one coach said they were like the Division II version of the San Diego Chargers' LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.

"(Strength and conditioning) Coach (Rod) Cole started saying that," Robertson said of the comparison. "I guess it kind of stuck."

The comparison made sense, seeing how Robertson rushed for 894 yards and Smith added 775. Both averaged more than five yards per carry.

But Robertson did much more than just run with the ball. He also averaged 25.5 yards on kickoff returns, good for third in the LSC, and had 13 receptions for 120 yards and a pair of scores. He finished with 1,576 all-purpose yards.

Fowler is planning on getting Robertson more touches this fall.

"We need him to carry the ball 20 times a game, and we have to put him in situations where he has the ball in the open field through the screen game and in passing routes," Fowler said.

He could get more special teams touches, as well.

"Evan will still be involved in our return game on kickoffs and you may see us use him on punt returns, too," Folwer said. "We want to put the ball in the hands of our best players, and there's not any better than him."

Robertson welcomes the increased workload and plans to spend his summer preparing for it.

"It's a lot different without (Smith) here. I know I'm going to get the ball a lot more, and I'm excited about that," says the 5-9, 185-pound Robertson. "I'm going to spend the summer working out to get bigger and stronger so I'll be ready for it."

Fowler knows the added strength will help Robertson handle the additional touches, but says it's his vision that makes him special.

"He has a lot of strengths - good balance, quick feet and breakaway speed, but what really sets Evan apart is his vision," Fowler says. "He sees holes open up at full speed faster than I can find them going back and watching film in slow motion. It's incredible how fast he can find holes, hit them and then turn upfield."

Thanks to his second chance, Robertson's vision is of more than just his on-field goal of gaining more than 2,000 yards this fall.

With his priorities in order, graduation is also coming into sight.

And that's one hole Robertson plans to hit full speed ahead.