New University of Massachusetts coach Charley Molnar's latest recruit will have the shortest trip to campus of 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 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. He liked 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," he said.