University Prep football star Robinson transferring to Imani Christian

Kenny Robinson, a Division I football prospect and one of the top players in the City League, has left University Prep and plans to transfer to WPIAL Class A school Imani Christian Academy.

The WPIAL might require an eligibility hearing for Robinson, given that he attended Central Catholic as a freshman and is transferring to a school that, in 2013, dropped its football program a week before the season started and left opponents with an open week. After a two-year hiatus, Imani will play a WPIAL schedule again this fall.

“I'm not transferring for athletic reasons, so I'm not that worried about it,” said Robinson, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound receiver-safety who has scholarship offers from Pitt, West Virginia, Iowa State, Toledo and Virginia Tech. “I want to get a better education. I want to get a better SAT score and have a better relationship with God.”

Robinson had 31 receptions for 593 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore at USO, the City's cooperative agreement between University Prep, Science and Technology and Obama Academy. As a junior, he missed six games with a torn tendon in his right calf but had 18 catches for 287 yards and five touchdowns in his first two games.

Robinson said he recently moved from his father's home in East Liberty back to his mother's home in Wilkinsburg, which closed its high school this summer and is sending students to Westinghouse. Imani Christian, located in East Hills, is less than a mile away from his mother's home.

Robinson said the neighborhood disputes that led to a brawl involving 30 girls at University Prep, which drew headlines in late February, also factored into his decision.

“We decided I needed to go somewhere with smaller classrooms, so I can focus and boost my SAT scores,” Robinson said. “There was a lot of stuff going on at University Prep. I felt like I wasn't getting a good education there.

“It's a good opportunity. It gives me a better chance to stay focused. At Prep, there were so many distractions. At Imani, I can focus on what I need to get into college. I think Imani is going to be good for me.”

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at kgorman@tribweb.com or via Twitter @KGorman_Trib.