Robert Hainsey's Cross-Country Move to Chase His Football Dreams Is Paying off

When Robert Hainsey's name was called Sunday in Orlando, Florida, as the first offensive lineman selected to The Opening finals for the upcoming summer, it sent the message that he's tried to convey for months.

The Robert Hainsey some may have remembered is not the same Robert Hainsey of today.

As a native of the Greater Pittsburgh area, Hainsey moved to IMG Academy after his sophomore season. He played his first two seasons for Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, before moving to Bradenton, Florida.

It's a decision that's been a positive for Hainsey, who now has 20-plus reported offers and, as of Sunday, earned an invitation to compete at The Opening finals this summer in Beaverton, Oregon. Hainsey has bragging rights of being the first offensive lineman of the 2017 class publicly invited to The Opening, as regional competition kicked off last week in Orlando.

"To be the first O-lineman, that's a great feeling," Hainsey said. "I've been thinking about this for a while, just trying to get to The Opening. It's kind of crazy. I'm definitely happy with my performance."

It's an accomplishment for someone who entered IMG Academy with three particular goals—get better every day, earn a scholarship and, perhaps most importantly, represent Greater Pittsburgh to the best of his ability.

"I do it for my city every day," he said.

Hainsey: 'Self-made guy'

Now standing 6'5" and weighing 280 pounds, Hainsey is a versatile offensive lineman who can play both tackle and guard at the next level. IMG head coach Kevin Wright still remembers the first time he saw Hainsey—who, then, may have been closer to 6'3", 260 pounds.

"He wasn't as big as he was now, and we didn't really know what we were getting at first," Wright said. "I mean, you can watch tape of a kid, but you don't know the competition level or what drives him.

"One thing's for sure: He's a self-made guy. He's been very focused in what he's doing."

Hainsey has become one of the most sought-after linemen in the 2017 class. He's ranked just outside the top 100 in 247Sports' composite rankings, and he's the nation's No. 3 guard. Currently, he lines up at left tackle for IMG.

Michigan State was the first school to offer Hainsey when he was a sophomore. Since then, Hainsey has fielded offers from programs nationwide, including Michigan, Ohio State, LSU, Florida, Miami, Auburn and North Carolina. Hainsey also has offers from in-state schools Penn State and Pitt, which he holds dearly as a proud Pennsylvanian.

It's still early, but Hainsey said he's hoping to add offers from Notre Dame, Clemson and Alabama. He isn't planning on making any decisions soon, but to have those three offers would fulfill a personal goal. He's always valued Notre Dame's tradition, and it's easy to like Alabama and Clemson—particularly after watching them battle for the College Football Playoff championship last month.

"I'm really looking for somewhere where I can get early playing time and be best prepared for the next level," Hainsey said. "I want to be where I can feel like it's home and be somewhere where I can be comfortable with my coaches."

After Sunday's performance at The Opening Orlando, the idea of Hainsey playing college football became even clearer to Todd Huber, the director of football for StudentSports.com, which puts on The Opening.

Hainsey's skill set was recognized last year at The Opening's Columbus, Ohio, regional. He was a part of the "final five" offensive linemen of the regional and impressed The Opening coaches with his motor and pad level. Huber, a former offensive lineman at Cal, said he's noticed a major turnaround since watching Hainsey in Columbus.

"The hard work has paid off as he’s turned himself into a legit left tackle prospect at the next level," Huber said. "He brings that lunch-pail, Pittsburgh attitude with good length for a 6'4", 6'5" prospect. [He] showed the ability to handle elite Florida speed off the edge and the ability to drop his hips and create leverage against a power rusher."

'For the 412'

Ask Hainsey, and there isn't a day that goes by where he doesn't think about Pittsburgh and its surroundings. It's still home to him.

"That's where I'm from, and even though I'm not there anymore, I've still got to represent," Hainsey said. "That's always going to be home."

Hainsey briefly discussed the big decision of leaving Western Pennsylvania for IMG and how tough it was to leave his family and Gateway High. Hainsey even admitted that some questioned his loyalty to his school.

For Hainsey, the decision was all about becoming a better player, someone who will be more prepared to play college football.

"Some people just didn't understand why I left," Hainsey said. "They think I should stay at home because that's where I'm from, but that wasn't where I was going to reach my goals. I came [to IMG] to be the best I can possibly be and be ready to play my freshman year of college."

If nothing else, IMG improved his player's resume. The number of talented players he's lined up against in practice and in games speaks volumes, and the level of talent he competed against at The Opening Orlando further enhanced his resume.

"We put him at left tackle last year, and he had to compete every day in practice," Wright said. "He had to go against [5-star] Josh Kaindoh and [Florida State signee] Shavar Manuel. In games, he had to go against [Michigan signee and No. 1 overall 2016 prospect] Rashan Gary and Brian Burns.

"We like to say here at IMG that iron sharpens iron. I've watched him and seen his confidence level increase. From last summer on, he's worked himself to be one of the best offensive linemen in the country."

On Sunday, he and IMG teammate Cesar Ruiz, the nation's top-ranked center, were the two offensive linemen selected for The Opening finals this summer. But when Hainsey heard his name, it helped to silence any criticism he received for leaving Pittsburgh.

In the same breath, it also gave him another opportunity to shout the place that he still loves.

"I'm doing it for the 412," he said. 

Credit: 247Sports.com

Big decisions coming

Hainsey is ranked nationally as a guard but said he would prefer to play tackle in college. He brings great strength, solid pad level and a mean streak to the football field.

"I think he’s certainly proved he's a tackle prospect at the next level," Huber said, "but the way he plays the game he could certainly slide inside as well. [He] did both on Sunday and was dealing no matter where he lined up.

"He answered every question I had after looking at his junior tape. He's a guy I, no doubt, wanted to have up in Oregon."

What's next for Hainsey, in addition to leading IMG to an undefeated 2016 season, is finding a plan to play college ball. Hainsey said he's wide open with his process, and he's going to take his time in making the right decision.

Hainsey added he has thought about narrowing his list of schools, but there isn't a set date as of yet. Playing close to home is intriguing, which gives Penn State and Pitt an advantage. Rewarding the first team to offer is a possibility, which gives Michigan State strong consideration.

And then, there are the other powerhouses representing the Big Ten and SEC. Hainsey knows he has a big decision to make whenever he's ready.

"I'm still looking at a couple of schools before narrowing my list," he said. "Once I do that, I'll be able to cut [the list] down and make a decision as soon as possible. I don't want to drag it out. Whenever I'm sure where I want to go, that's when I'll commit."

Until then, Hainsey will stick with what he's been doing: Improving as a lineman, hopefully adding new offers along the way and being the best player and leader possible for IMG.

All while representing his native Western Pennsylvania.

"That's home," he said. "I'll always represent."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles