After weeks of speculation about which program Joscelyn Roberson will choose, she announced her decision to commit to the Georgia GymDogs.

In an exclusive interview with Gymnastics Now, the gymnast clarified the rumours that emerged since she decided to enter the transfer portal.

The questions focused on her next destination after leaving the Arkansas Razorbacks. Roberson had narrowed it down to three options - Georgia, Florida, and UCLA.

Leaving LSU out of the picture raised questions and caused speculation, which she addressed in the interview. The gymnast was expected to choose a program committed to providing elite training along with college competitions.

"I was in talks with LSU a little bit," she stated. "But it just kind of fizzled out, and I just decided not to go there."

Roberson highlighted why the Louisiana State University didn't make the cut.

“It’s not just like where elite can be done. I wanted it to be celebrated… encouraged," she stated. "And I felt like the school that I [previously] mentioned that I didn’t visit didn’t really encourage it.”

The gymnast understands the distinction between NCAA and international competitions. However, she has set a broader goal rather than limiting it to national championships, which is the focus at LSU.

“ I mean, obviously, [it’s] the NCAA - their main goal is to get a national championship," she stated. "But my main goal is to get a national championship and then go to the Olympics."

The 20-year-old based her decisions on academic apparatus, familiarity with the coaching staff, and pre-existing relationships with her teammates. Considering these factors, she eventually landed on the Georgia GymDogs.

Joscelyn Roberson’s Next Move

With Roberson officially committing to Georgia, the question has shifted to her next move. In the same interview, the gymnast expressed her intentions to acclimate to the University of Georgia and its gymnastics program.

This includes working with Cecile Landi, Simone Biles' former coach. As for her competitive ambition, Roberson isn't keen on rushing.

“The goal is to train elite this year but not to compete because I really want to get healthy,” she stated.

The athlete highlighted her ankle issues, which have persisted since last year. With her foot also posing problems, Roberson eventually decided to take a year off and resume training in 2027.

“We’ll hit the ground heavy and running next year for Worlds and then the Olympics [in 2028]," she stated. "But I’ll train elite [this year] – I just won’t compete [in] it.”

With the 2027 NCAA season also not far off, Roberson was impressed with the upcoming freshmen and looked forward to competing next year.

Read more at Gymnastics Digest.

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Sijo Paul