STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State will free up two scholarships after this semester as running back Andre Robinson and kicker Alex Barbir have been granted their releases and will seek transfers, a program spokesperson confirmed. Lions 247 first reported that Barbir would head elsewhere.
Both reserve players were deleted from Penn State's roster on Tuesday, a usual occurrence this time of year as players ready to wrap up the semester and figure out what's next in their playing careers.
Robinson, whose workload dwindled as the season went on as Miles Sanders' role increased, came in as part of the same recruiting class as Saquon Barkley. While it was Barkley who ultimately won out against Robinson, once a four-star prospect from Bishop McDevitt High School, this move also sheds even more light on the Lions' running back picture next season.
It's a job that was expected to and presumably will belong to Sanders, who is completing his sophomore season. With highly-touted back Ricky Slade a solid verbal pledge in the 2018 class -- plus speedy Journey Brown coming off his redshirt season -- and veteran change of pace back Mark Allen, the Lions should have plenty of options in what will in all likelihood be the post-Barkley era.
If Robinson is set to graduate, which it's unclear if he is or isn't, then he could go elsewhere and play right away as a graduate transfer. If not, he'd then have to sit out one season should he transfer elsewhere in the FBS.
Where Penn State could've used Robinson next season is around the goal line and in short-yardage situations, but in the carries Sanders has had this season -- coupled with his role as a freshman as the team's kick returner -- there have been glimpses of a lot of explosiveness with the former Woodland Hills standout. Moving past the fumbling issues that popped up when Sanders played as a true freshman, he's been dynamic this season while spelling Barkley. There certainly will be plenty of eyes on Sanders in the Lions' trip to the Fiesta Bowl, with many realizing that he likely will be the back of the future.
Robinson wasn't an impact player on special teams this season either so his departure will be mostly felt in terms of depth, making Allen, Slade and Brown that much more important moving forward.
As for Barbir, the writing was on the wall that something wasn't working out as the Lions offered and then secured a verbal pledge from 2018 kicker Jake Pinegar. Penn State would not sink two scholarships into a position where only one kicker or one punter is going to see the field, so this move seemed likely since the summer.
However, with Tyler Davis out of eligibility after the bowl game it means the Lions' kicking competition next season will be between walk-ons Carson Landis and Nick DeAngelis, plus Pinegar. James Franklin would like to get back to using one player on kickoffs and another for field goals and with all three options being inexperienced that would seem like the model the Lions would go back to after Davis, a senior, handled both duties for the first time this season.
Franklin has given both DeAngelis and Landis plenty of opportunities in practice this season, even noting that they've held some kicking competitions in practice to try and get a better feel for how both players are coming along.
Ultimately, the two scholarships give the Lions more space in the months ahead as they get to 85 and with the early signing period kicking off on Dec. 20 they should have a pretty good idea of their total numbers though still so much can happen between now and spring ball in terms of roster changes. And, should Barkley declare for the NFL Draft that of course would also free up another spot next year.