Jackson-Olin senior and Alabama linebacker commit Quandarrius Robinson isn’t expected to play again this season.

Robinson – ranked No. 2 on the preseason A-List of the state’s top prospects and No. 21 on The Southern 120 ranking of the top players in the SEC footprint -- suffered an ankle injury that required surgery a few weeks ago. Jackson-Olin coach Tim Vakakes said there’s a slim chance the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder could return in November if the Mustangs advance to the playoffs.

Robinson, a 4-star prospect ranked among the nation’s top 50 prospects, according to national recruiting sites, is one of 22 players currently committed to Alabama in the Class of 2020. He spoke to AL.com earlier this week about his injury, his football future and Alabama’s rise to No. 1 in the polls. Here’s excerpts from the conversation:

Q: Tell us about your injury and your rehab so far.

A: “I tore a ligament in my ankle, and I had a surgery. That’s about it.

“How it happened, I was just trying to recover a fumble, and my foot kind of got stuck in the ground and I fell back on it. When I tried to get up, it felt kind of weird so I feel back down. That’s pretty much it.”

Q: Jackson-Olin coach Tim Vakakes has consistently talked about your work ethic and how hard of a worker you are. So, based on all the work you put in during the summer, how disappointing and frustrating is it not to be able to play?

A: “Oh, my gosh, it’s been a constant battle. At one point, it was kind of like I wished I didn’t say anything and just wrapped it back up and got back in. Then you’ve got the other half of me just saying, ‘Maybe it was meant to be.’ I was beating myself up over it.

“I always want to be able to compete at a high level, and me being not able to compete is frustrating. But I’m all right now.”

Q: You’ve surely had conversations with the staff at Alabama about your injury. What can you share about any guidance they’ve given you?

A: “Nothing has changed. We just talk about the same old, same old. I notified them just to let them know, but nothing has changed.”

Q: Coach Vakakes said you’ve trying to be as involved as you can with your teammates. How can you best support and help them?

A: “Being at practice, being at the games. Just still being a leader. That will take you longer than just being a player and not leading. Now, I’m just being a vocal leader more than ever and just showing my face, letting them know I’ve got their back whether I’m out of the season or I’m coming back soon.”

Q: The expectation is that you’ll miss the rest of the season, but there’s a small chance you could return if Jackson-Olin gets in the playoffs. Do you hold out hope to play again this season?

A: “Oh, yes. Yes. I hope we get to make a playoff run. I hope it for the guys, more importantly, but I’d like to get back out and compete like the old me.”

Q: Alabama is undefeated and moved up to No. 1 in the polls this week. What do you see from your future team and teammates, how do you evaluate the season so far?

A: “I mean, those guys are awesome. You’ve got a lot of freshmen playing right now, and for those guys to come in and just play like they’re seniors, that’s amazing. That’s going to help them in the long run.”

Q: Does that give you a little extra motivation, knowing you could go to Alabama and possibly earn immediate playing time?

A: “Most definitely, whether it’s me or not. I’m sure there’s guys committed in this 2020 class, I hope they come in and make an immediate impact. Seeing that, it just shows you’re able to start. Hopefully, I can come in and just work and earn my spot.”

Q: Will you be a January enrollee?

A: “No sir.”

Q: Do you plan to play basketball for Jackson-Olin?

A: “I didn’t play basketball last year, but I plan to come back well before basketball season starts.”

Q: Have you run track or participated in any other spring sports?

“Oh, for sure. I’m a jack of all trades. I think I love track more than football. Yeah, I plan on playing basketball and track – track, for sure.”