Florida State University Athletics
Duce Robinson: Legacy Nole Prepares for Family Weekend
9/17/2025 4:10:00 PM | Football
As Florida State prepares to welcome families back to campus for Family Weekend, junior wide receiver Duce Robinson is a great example of what it means to be part of the Seminole family, both on and off the field. Robinson, fresh off ACC Player of the Week honors after his historic performance against East Texas A&M, isn't just excelling on the field, he's carrying forward a family legacy while also making a name for himself.
Originally from Phoenix, Robinson's love for sports was rooted deeply in his family. "Florida State has always been a very special place to me," he said. "Growing up, my pops went to Florida State, my mom went to Florida...me and all my brothers were Florida State fans, so my mom got the short end of the stick." Â
His father, wide receiver Dominic Robinson, played football for Florida State from 2001-04 and baseball in 2002, while his mother, Mary Beth, was a swimmer at the University of Florida from 1999-2001. One of his earliest memories, the 2013 national championship game featuring Jameis Winston, still resonates with him today. "We were able to stay up late and watch the end of that game and it came down to the wire, but we ended up taking the dub. I just remember my pops lifting me up over his head and putting me on his shoulder after we won. That's one of my fondest memories growing up, and ever since then, I've always held a special place in my heart for FSU. Now that I'm able to be a Seminole, hopefully I'll be able to recreate a lot of those memories."Â
Baseball was actually Robinson's first love. He grew up watching the Texas Rangers win back-to-back World Series and he played competitively through high school and at the University of Southern California, even playing for the California Collegiate League Academy Barons in the summer of 2024. But football and the chance to follow in his father's footsteps was always calling his name.  Â
After two seasons at USC, Robinson transferred to FSU. "Once I entered the portal, being able to speak to Coach Norvell, Coach Malzahn, just feel the excitement, that meant a lot," he said. He also credits quarterback Tommy Castellanos as a big reason for choosing Florida State. "Tommy is my person day in and out. When I came here on my visit, he was here as well, he made sure he was here and able to show me around. We do everything together… it's like a brotherhood."Â
As a young Seminole fan, Robinson idolized Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State's standout wide receiver from 2011-13, and tried to model his game after the big, athletic receiver. "I've always taken pride in just being athletic...I don't want to be athletic for my size; I just want to be athletic in general." Benjamin's intentional use of his size and speed left a lasting impression, and Robinson now utilizes that same athleticism to redefine what it means to be an impactful receiver at Florida State. Â
Robinson's production on the field has been immediate. After starting and catching two passes for 18 yards in FSU's win over No. 8 Alabama, Robinson made a name for himself nationally with 5 catches for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns – all in the first half – against East Texas A&M. Robinson and Castellanos connected on touchdowns of 82 and 42 yards – the second a one-handed catch while fighting off pass interference – as Robinson set career-highs in receptions, touchdowns and yards. Robinson and the rest of the FSU starters did not player in the second half as FSU beat the Lions, 77-3. Â
Beyond the statistics, Robinson is already making his mark on the FSU community. It's his combination of size, skill, and work ethic that sets him apart from others. As he continues to grow, Robinson is not only building upon a family tradition, but he is carving out his own identity and leaving his own Robinson legacy on the Seminole football program.
Originally from Phoenix, Robinson's love for sports was rooted deeply in his family. "Florida State has always been a very special place to me," he said. "Growing up, my pops went to Florida State, my mom went to Florida...me and all my brothers were Florida State fans, so my mom got the short end of the stick." Â
His father, wide receiver Dominic Robinson, played football for Florida State from 2001-04 and baseball in 2002, while his mother, Mary Beth, was a swimmer at the University of Florida from 1999-2001. One of his earliest memories, the 2013 national championship game featuring Jameis Winston, still resonates with him today. "We were able to stay up late and watch the end of that game and it came down to the wire, but we ended up taking the dub. I just remember my pops lifting me up over his head and putting me on his shoulder after we won. That's one of my fondest memories growing up, and ever since then, I've always held a special place in my heart for FSU. Now that I'm able to be a Seminole, hopefully I'll be able to recreate a lot of those memories."Â
Baseball was actually Robinson's first love. He grew up watching the Texas Rangers win back-to-back World Series and he played competitively through high school and at the University of Southern California, even playing for the California Collegiate League Academy Barons in the summer of 2024. But football and the chance to follow in his father's footsteps was always calling his name.  Â
After two seasons at USC, Robinson transferred to FSU. "Once I entered the portal, being able to speak to Coach Norvell, Coach Malzahn, just feel the excitement, that meant a lot," he said. He also credits quarterback Tommy Castellanos as a big reason for choosing Florida State. "Tommy is my person day in and out. When I came here on my visit, he was here as well, he made sure he was here and able to show me around. We do everything together… it's like a brotherhood."Â
As a young Seminole fan, Robinson idolized Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State's standout wide receiver from 2011-13, and tried to model his game after the big, athletic receiver. "I've always taken pride in just being athletic...I don't want to be athletic for my size; I just want to be athletic in general." Benjamin's intentional use of his size and speed left a lasting impression, and Robinson now utilizes that same athleticism to redefine what it means to be an impactful receiver at Florida State. Â
Robinson's production on the field has been immediate. After starting and catching two passes for 18 yards in FSU's win over No. 8 Alabama, Robinson made a name for himself nationally with 5 catches for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns – all in the first half – against East Texas A&M. Robinson and Castellanos connected on touchdowns of 82 and 42 yards – the second a one-handed catch while fighting off pass interference – as Robinson set career-highs in receptions, touchdowns and yards. Robinson and the rest of the FSU starters did not player in the second half as FSU beat the Lions, 77-3. Â
Beyond the statistics, Robinson is already making his mark on the FSU community. It's his combination of size, skill, and work ethic that sets him apart from others. As he continues to grow, Robinson is not only building upon a family tradition, but he is carving out his own identity and leaving his own Robinson legacy on the Seminole football program.
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