New University of Massachusetts football coach Charley Molnar's latest recruit will have the shortest trip to campus of all his current commitments.

Springfield native John Robinson, who played linebacker and running back at Worcester Academy this year, committed to UMass on Tuesday.

"I've always loved UMass. I think it's going to be a great fit for me there," Robinson said. "I was really impressed with the coaches they brought it. They came for a home visit and when coach was talking to me I knew that's the man I wanted to play for. I want him to coach me up."

Robinson, who is 6-foot-2, 225-pounds, is expected to play linebacker in college.

"He's an explosive player with a great motor," Worcester coach David Dykeman said. "He's very physical. He rushed for 12 touchdowns in seven games and rushed for 550 yards. As a linebacker he had 87 tackles, 10 for loss. He's a very good player."

Robinson, who started his high school career at Springfield Cathedral, chose UMass over a handful of Patriot League schools and Albany.

"He's grown up going to UMass games. He loves UMass. I think it's been a dream of his," Dykeman said. The new coaching staff "did a nice job getting in here in a short period of time. He had some nice options and he chose them."

Dykeman said Robinson had offers from several Patriot League schools in addition to UMass. Robinson liked the chance of being part of UMass' first team in the Bowl Subdivision.

"The class that's coming in now is going to start a new tradition in the Mid-American Conference," Robinson said.

JERSEY LINEBACKER COMMITS - Robinson will be joined by Leo Krizanovic, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound linebacker from Paramus (N.J.) Catholic who also committed to UMass Tuesday, according to MSGVarsity.com. Krizanovic chose UMass over a handful of Colonial Athletic Association schools.

Krizanovic had been pursued by FBS schools before tearing his ACL as a junior. Paramus Catholic coach Chris Partridge couldn't be reached for comment, but he praised Krizanovic in an October article on North Jersey.com.

"He's like a throwback. You know, an old-school, blue-collar tough guy. He's a hard worker, and he just wants contact," Partridge said. "Someone at the I-A level is going to make him an offer, grab him and be very happy about it. He's a big-time player. I believe we can be watching him playing football on TV next season."

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Follow UMass coverage on Twitter at twitter.com/GazetteUMass. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at http://www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage.