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OXFORD — Miami University senior Ryne Robinson, once a triple threat whose future seemed to branch off with equal passion and potential into three different directions — football, baseball, music — has become a double threat.

Soon to become a single threat.

The piano has become a mere pastime for the 22-year-old from Toledo, and before long he will choose between football and baseball.

Robinson's college football career is winding down quickly. The man who has broken Miami's career records for receptions (250), reception yards (3,606), punt-return yards (1,677 yards) and punt returns for touchdowns (7), plays his final game at Yager Stadium this afternoon when the RedHawks take on the Ohio Bobcats.

Robinson, who also has been Miami's starting left fielder during spring baseball, knows he has some important decisions ahead.

One decision he already has made. The classical pianist who plays jazz and blues with equal enthusiasm has placed music in the background, at least for the time being. He said he last sat down at a piano a month ago. He played for about 15 minutes.

"It's just a hobby," Robinson said earlier this week after practice. "It's something I really don't get around to anymore. Hopefully, in the near future I'll get back to it.

"It's definitely something I miss," he added, "but you have to make sacrifices sometimes. The extra time I have, I spend watching (Miami football game) films, trying to get better with my techniques."

Robinson, who leads the nation with 7.55 catches per game this year, is likely to be selected to a college all-star game. Whether he is selected in next year's NFL draft — that remains a question.

Some scouts don't like his size (5-foot-10, 169 pounds).

But they do like his explosive punt returns — well, they used to be explosive back in the days when teams still dared to kick the ball to Robinson. And they're bound to like the fact that Robinson, playing with a target on his back as the receiver Mike Kokal almost always looks to first, has actually increased his production lately.

Over the last two games he has made 19 catches for 266 yards to increase his season total to 83 for 1,087 yards.

Robinson still considers himself a baseball player, too, and said "as far as I know" that he will play for coach Dan Simonds this spring. "I'm going to sit down with him and discuss the possibilities," Robinson said.

Ah, the possibilities. The football draft? College baseball? The baseball draft? Free agency in football, or baseball, or both?

"It could be baseball," Robinson said. "It could be football. I don't know at this point. I'm not a fortune teller. I'll keep playing it by ear and give it my best shot."

Robinson, meanwhile, hopes the Bobcats give him a shot.

He has returned a punt for a touchdown in each of his previous three games against Ohio, and he still needs 85 yards to break the national record for career punt-return yardage held by Wes Welker, formerly of Texas Tech. In order for Robinson to have a chance at breaking the record, the Bobcats at least have to be willing to kick the ball in his direction.

"I hope they do," Robinson said. "They've already clinched the (Mid-American Conference) East Division championship and they have nothing to lose."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.