He led the 1985 "Sugar Vols" squad through a difficult first half of the season, and was a Heisman Trophy candidate until blowing out his right knee during a close game against Alabama.

[4] He joined Leon's junior varsity squad as a freshman in 1978, initially playing at wide receiver, but switching to quarterback when Cox noticed how easily he could throw the ball long distances.

Cox, who had sent a string of quarterbacks to the college ranks, brushed off the criticism, stating, "I've always believed in playing the best player," and that Robinson was "unquestionably the best.

His high school coach, Gene Cox, suggested it was because of Robinson's race, noting that Florida State had never had a black quarterback.

[7] Robinson joined Tennessee's stellar 1982 recruiting class, which included future NFL players Tim McGee, Joey Clinkscales, Charles Davis, Bruce Wilkerson, and Daryle Smith.

He was suddenly vaulted into the starting slot, however, when Cockrell decided to skip his senior year to play Major League Baseball.

[3] Robinson performed reasonably well in season-opening wins over Washington State and Utah, though star running back Johnnie Jones shouldered much of the offensive burden.

[11][12] After suffering a leg injury, Robinson missed all of Tennessee's game against Army (allowing quarterback Daryl Dickey to get his first start),[13] and struggled in the Vols' 29–10 loss to Auburn.

Tennessee's defense was unable to stop Florida's running back tandem of Neal Anderson and John L. Williams, however, and the Gators prevailed 43–30.

With Alabama leading 27–13 midway through the fourth quarter, Robinson engineered a scoring drive which culminated with a 17-yard touchdown pass to McGee.

Teammate Andre Creamer then returned a punt to the Alabama 11-yard line, and Jones scored from a yard out a few plays later to cut the lead to 27–26 with just over two minutes remaining.

Majors opted to go for the two-point conversion, which Robinson scored by faking a pitch to Jones and diving over the goal line, giving Tennessee a 28–27 victory, and setting off a wild celebration at Neyland Stadium.

[18] In the Vols' 41–9 win over Memphis State two weeks later, Robinson threw three touchdown passes, including a 34-yarder to McGee and a 24-yarder to Smith, and scored on a 25-yard run.

[21] In the 1984 Sun Bowl, with Tennessee down 28–27, Robinson led a late drive into Maryland territory, but lost the ball on a fumble, allowing the Terrapins to escape with the win.

On September 28, 1985, Tennessee hosted #1 Auburn, which featured eventual Heisman winner Bo Jackson at running back.

"[3][27] After a hard-fought victory over Wake Forest, Tennessee traveled to Gainesville to face #7 Florida, who had not lost since the first week of the 1984 season.

Late in the fourth quarter, with Tennessee trailing 17–10, Robinson led the Vols to midfield, but the drive ended when his pass was tipped by Florida defensive tackle Rhondy Weston and intercepted by linebacker Alonzo Johnson to seal the victory for the Gators.

[28] On October 19, Tennessee traveled to Birmingham to play Alabama, who were ranked #15 and entered the game with a 4–1 record following a 19–17 loss to Penn State.

On a 2nd-and-1 scramble, Robinson was sandwiched between linebacker Cornelius Bennett and defensive lineman Curt Jarvis, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

[29] In the days following the Alabama game, doctors determined that Robinson's injury would require arthroscopic surgery, effectively ending his season.

In January 1986, a few days after Tennessee's victory in the 1986 Sugar Bowl (which Robinson watched from the sidelines), he and his roommate, former Vol fullback Kenneth B.B.

[3] His chances for an NFL career in shambles, Robinson received an offer to play for the Richmond Ravens of the Continental Interstate Football League.

In the first quarter, Robinson's former college teammate linebacker Dale Jones injured Rubbert's throwing shoulder with a tackle.

[3] Robinson entered the game, and helped lead Washington to a 13–7 upset, completing 11 of 18 passes for 152 yards and two interceptions, and was widely praised for his handling of the offense.

A group of Howard University students led by Fred Outten protested the film's opening at the United Artists' theater in Bethesda, Maryland.

[35] The move was part of an effort by first-year head coach Butch Jones and Vol for Life Coordinator Antone Davis to reach out to former players.