Penn State's Andre Robinson, Alex Barbir look to be leaving the program

York Daily Record

Backup freshman Andre Robinson may carry his biggest load yet if Saquon Barkley isn't up to par for Saturday's Big Ten Championship Game. Robinson certainly has a knack for finding the end zone.

The Nittany Lions appear to be losing their backup tailback and possible starting kicker for the 2018 season.

Mechanicsburg's Andre Robinson, a redshirt sophomore tailback, and Georgia's Alex Barbir, a freshman kicker, have left the program and are seeking transfers, according to a report by Lions247.com.

Neither is listed on Penn State's updated roster.

Robinson, a Bishop McDevitt High grad, came to Penn State in the same recruiting class as Saquon Barkley — both four-star prospects. But while Barkley became a three-year star and Heisman Trophy candidate, Robinson has increasingly struggled to see the field.

More:Penn State's Saquon Barkley snubbed from Heisman Trophy finalist list

More:How a Penn State blowout shows why James Franklin's plan is on track

After a promising backup role last year, the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Robinson carried the ball only nine times for 55 yards this past fall. With Barkley expected to leave early for the NFL, he would have been in line for more work next year along with sophomore Miles Sanders, freshman Journey Brown and highly-rated incoming recruit Ricky Slade. Little-used senior Mark Allen also could be in the mix.

The Lions also appear to be losing Barbir, who was the top candidate to take over for senior kicker Tyler Davis. Barbir kicked off six times this season in a backup role.

With Barbir gone, the Lions only have two walk-on kickers on their roster, neither with game experience. Carson Landis and junior walk-on Nick DeAngelis expect to battle this spring with incoming scholarship kicker Jake Pinegar from Iowa.

Punter Blake Gillikin also was a standout high school kicker.

The apparent moves continue a highly-active postseason for the Lions as they prepare for the Dec. 30 Fiesta Bowl against Washington. Offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead left last week to become the head coach at Mississippi State and took running backs coach Charles Huff with him.

Head coach James Franklin countered by promoting tight end coach Ricky Rahne to coordinator, hiring former grad assistant Tyler Bowen to coach tight ends and naming Phil Galiano as special teams coach.