DF Keenan Robinson of Texas ~ 6.3/240
"Robinson joins fellow senior linebacker Emmanuel Acho to give Texas its second top 150-prospect duos at the second level in the past three years; Sergio Kindle (2nd round, #43, Baltimore) and Roddrick Muckelroy (4th, #131, Cincinnati) both heard their names called in the 2005 draft.
As a redshirt freshman, Robinson led the Longhorns with 10 special teams tackles and saw time on defense as a reserve (24 tackles, two for loss, pass break-up). He then earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by starting every game as a sophomore, posting 74 tackles, five for loss and 1.5 sacks, and five PBUs. Robinson produced enough in 2010 (96 tackles, eight for loss, two sacks, two interceptions) to again earn honorable mention notice from league coaches, as well as second-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press.
Robinson shined in Texas' 2010 match-up against Oklahoma (as did Acho), making 19 tackles, including 10 solo stops and two behind the line of scrimmage. If he uses his size/speed combination to its fullest by improving his tackling consistency, and produce like he did in last year's Red River Shootout, Robinson will be one of the best true 4-3 linebacker prospects come April.
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Read & React: Possesses average instincts, more likely to make plays with quick reactions than diagnosing. Handles misdirection well with quick change of direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when he has an open lane.
Run Defense: Gives effort between the tackles to find the ball, willing to take on linemen to fill a hole. Flashes strength to punch or stiff-arm to get off lineman blocks, but is inconsistent feeling them when not head-up. Stays with plays downfield, often making tackles, even after being hit by multiple linemen. Lacks pop and strength to anchor, though. Most effective when uncovered inside and chasing stretch plays to the sideline.
Pass Defense: Displays nice agility and awareness in coverage. Capable of dropping deep quickly off the snap, also coming off a seam route to make tackles on underneath route. Stays with tight end and larger receivers in his zone, fights for the ball if its thrown in his area. Finds the first down marker and will bait quarterbacks into making throws to that receiver. Closes on receivers on front of him, does whatever it takes to bring them down immediately after the catch. Lacks elite quickness and change of direction ability to handle NFL slot receivers after initial contact.
Tackling: Chaser with speed to reach either sideline, closing ability to take down ballcarriers behind the line of scrimmage. Owns strength and length to bring down backs in the open field and receivers on bubble screens. Does not blow up targets. Many inside tackles are catch-and-drags, which will be more difficult to make at the next level. Plays upright. Ducks his head and fail to wrap at times. Also leaves his feet too often and shoulders ballcarriers, trying to make the big hit. Inconsistent giving full effort to be the second man in the play.
Pass Rush/Blitz: Not asked to go after the quarterback often in Texas' stack. Has the size and speed to be effective, but must learn to use hands to beat lineman and running back blocks.
Intangibles: Plays a bit nasty, sometimes drawing flags for unnecessary roughness. Stepped forward as a leader through his words and action over the past year. Good student in the classroom and the film room. No work ethic or character issues. Brother, Aubrey Smith, played cornerback at NAIA's Missouri Valley College."
--Chad Reuter
As a redshirt freshman, Robinson led the Longhorns with 10 special teams tackles and saw time on defense as a reserve (24 tackles, two for loss, pass break-up). He then earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by starting every game as a sophomore, posting 74 tackles, five for loss and 1.5 sacks, and five PBUs. Robinson produced enough in 2010 (96 tackles, eight for loss, two sacks, two interceptions) to again earn honorable mention notice from league coaches, as well as second-team all-conference honors from the Associated Press.
Robinson shined in Texas' 2010 match-up against Oklahoma (as did Acho), making 19 tackles, including 10 solo stops and two behind the line of scrimmage. If he uses his size/speed combination to its fullest by improving his tackling consistency, and produce like he did in last year's Red River Shootout, Robinson will be one of the best true 4-3 linebacker prospects come April.
***
Read & React: Possesses average instincts, more likely to make plays with quick reactions than diagnosing. Handles misdirection well with quick change of direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when he has an open lane.
Run Defense: Gives effort between the tackles to find the ball, willing to take on linemen to fill a hole. Flashes strength to punch or stiff-arm to get off lineman blocks, but is inconsistent feeling them when not head-up. Stays with plays downfield, often making tackles, even after being hit by multiple linemen. Lacks pop and strength to anchor, though. Most effective when uncovered inside and chasing stretch plays to the sideline.
Pass Defense: Displays nice agility and awareness in coverage. Capable of dropping deep quickly off the snap, also coming off a seam route to make tackles on underneath route. Stays with tight end and larger receivers in his zone, fights for the ball if its thrown in his area. Finds the first down marker and will bait quarterbacks into making throws to that receiver. Closes on receivers on front of him, does whatever it takes to bring them down immediately after the catch. Lacks elite quickness and change of direction ability to handle NFL slot receivers after initial contact.
Tackling: Chaser with speed to reach either sideline, closing ability to take down ballcarriers behind the line of scrimmage. Owns strength and length to bring down backs in the open field and receivers on bubble screens. Does not blow up targets. Many inside tackles are catch-and-drags, which will be more difficult to make at the next level. Plays upright. Ducks his head and fail to wrap at times. Also leaves his feet too often and shoulders ballcarriers, trying to make the big hit. Inconsistent giving full effort to be the second man in the play.
Pass Rush/Blitz: Not asked to go after the quarterback often in Texas' stack. Has the size and speed to be effective, but must learn to use hands to beat lineman and running back blocks.
Intangibles: Plays a bit nasty, sometimes drawing flags for unnecessary roughness. Stepped forward as a leader through his words and action over the past year. Good student in the classroom and the film room. No work ethic or character issues. Brother, Aubrey Smith, played cornerback at NAIA's Missouri Valley College."
--Chad Reuter
"Possesses a strong, athletic looking frame with good girth through his lower half. Is an explosive, quick-twitch backer who displays a good first step when asked to close on the football. Gets up to speed quickly and generates “plus” power into contact.
Displays the closing range to routinely knife his way into the backfield and make plays off his frame. Exhibits only average instincts however, at times is slow to react to the run game, will take some bad angles in pursuit and doesn’t do a great job using his hands to take on blocks. Needs to do a better job sitting into his stance into contact. Too often bends at the waist and uncoils into contact a bit straight-legged.
Doesn’t possesses great balance when asked to breakdown, throws himself toward the action and will create some impact plays, but also will end up on the ground too often at times missing on ball carriers. Can be overwhelmed on contact when asked to take on lineman and/or sealed from the play.
Displays good body control and coordination in coverage. Keeps his feet under him and can re-direct and close. At times will turn his back when asked to run vertically and doesn’t see the football. But exhibits good range/closing speed down the field. Drives quickly on throws under him in zone coverage and will create a snap on contact.
However, isn’t overly instinctive and doesn’t always trust what he sees in zone. Is a reactive player, doesn’t get many early jumps on the football and needs to see the ball come out before he’s able to try to make a play. Ends up playing the man mostly because of it and not the ball.
Impression: An explosive kid with some natural burst to his game. Isn’t overly instinctive and doesn’t take on blocks overly well, but is a good fit in more of a run and hit scheme because he possesses very good natural range. A potential starter in the NFL ."
Displays the closing range to routinely knife his way into the backfield and make plays off his frame. Exhibits only average instincts however, at times is slow to react to the run game, will take some bad angles in pursuit and doesn’t do a great job using his hands to take on blocks. Needs to do a better job sitting into his stance into contact. Too often bends at the waist and uncoils into contact a bit straight-legged.
Doesn’t possesses great balance when asked to breakdown, throws himself toward the action and will create some impact plays, but also will end up on the ground too often at times missing on ball carriers. Can be overwhelmed on contact when asked to take on lineman and/or sealed from the play.
Displays good body control and coordination in coverage. Keeps his feet under him and can re-direct and close. At times will turn his back when asked to run vertically and doesn’t see the football. But exhibits good range/closing speed down the field. Drives quickly on throws under him in zone coverage and will create a snap on contact.
However, isn’t overly instinctive and doesn’t always trust what he sees in zone. Is a reactive player, doesn’t get many early jumps on the football and needs to see the ball come out before he’s able to try to make a play. Ends up playing the man mostly because of it and not the ball.
Impression: An explosive kid with some natural burst to his game. Isn’t overly instinctive and doesn’t take on blocks overly well, but is a good fit in more of a run and hit scheme because he possesses very good natural range. A potential starter in the NFL ."
"Long, lean, high-cut, run-around, scrape-and-flow collegiate strong-side linebacker whose smooth movement skills, range and closing burst project best to the weak side in a 4-3, as he's best when able to open it up and chase.
Should contribute readily on special teams and could serve as a nickel 'backer given his hip flex, zone reactions and efficient plant-and-drive.
Average eyes and instincts — loses the ball, steps falsely and takes himself out of position.
Made strength gains prior to his senior season but can be engulfed and is an inconsistent low, wrap tackler."
Should contribute readily on special teams and could serve as a nickel 'backer given his hip flex, zone reactions and efficient plant-and-drive.
Average eyes and instincts — loses the ball, steps falsely and takes himself out of position.
Made strength gains prior to his senior season but can be engulfed and is an inconsistent low, wrap tackler."
"First Word: Robinson is a rough and tumble linebacker who will quickly adhere himself to the fans of whatever team drafts him. He plays with a lot of aggression and can really put a hit on the ball carrier. As a prospect, Robinson is impressive physically but he needs to make strides in the mental and technical part of the game. It also hurts him that he's not used very much as a pass rusher.
Against Oklahoma, Robinson looked like a superstar with 19 tackles, with 2 coming for a loss. On the season, he finished with 96 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 2 sacks. If he starts all this season, he'll leave Texas with more than 35 starts on his resume'.
Games Watched: (All 2010) UCLA, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M
Bold Statement: If Robinson can make strides technically, he could develop into a second-round pick.
Notes:
• Will be at his best in the pros if he's allowed to play on the weak side where he can roam.
• Plays aggressively and really gets after the ball carrier. Looks to have good speed for a bigger linebacker.
• Needs to refine his tackling style some. Likes to get off his feet to make a big hit and will sometimes miss out on a stop. Tends to be a drag tackler more than you'd like out of a linebacker.
• A good worker between the tackles in the run game. If Robinson can upgrade his strength to match his effort, he'll get even better in the run game.
• Really not much of a pass rusher and is behind the curve with his blitz moves. Not technically sound disengaging from blockers to get after the passer.
• Is better than most college linebackers in coverage. Shows good instincts when dropping back and knows how to intelligently handle his zone.
• Shows off impressive burst to close on the receiver as the ball arrives."
Against Oklahoma, Robinson looked like a superstar with 19 tackles, with 2 coming for a loss. On the season, he finished with 96 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 2 sacks. If he starts all this season, he'll leave Texas with more than 35 starts on his resume'.
Games Watched: (All 2010) UCLA, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M
Bold Statement: If Robinson can make strides technically, he could develop into a second-round pick.
Notes:
• Will be at his best in the pros if he's allowed to play on the weak side where he can roam.
• Plays aggressively and really gets after the ball carrier. Looks to have good speed for a bigger linebacker.
• Needs to refine his tackling style some. Likes to get off his feet to make a big hit and will sometimes miss out on a stop. Tends to be a drag tackler more than you'd like out of a linebacker.
• A good worker between the tackles in the run game. If Robinson can upgrade his strength to match his effort, he'll get even better in the run game.
• Really not much of a pass rusher and is behind the curve with his blitz moves. Not technically sound disengaging from blockers to get after the passer.
• Is better than most college linebackers in coverage. Shows good instincts when dropping back and knows how to intelligently handle his zone.
• Shows off impressive burst to close on the receiver as the ball arrives."
"Active, athletic backer with sideline-to-sideline range; versatile player who will line up on the strongside this fall, but could also play in the middle or on the strongside; aggressive run defender with a quick first step, good instincts and the ability to change direction on the fly;
Not huge by NFL standard, but has good functional strength and is a physical tackler who had 113 tackles in 2010; can get into the backfield, but is not necessarily a natural pass rusher;
Also covers a lot of ground in coverage and had a couple of picks last fall, but isn’t quite as instinctive when playing in reverse; excellent all-around athlete was a state-level triple jumper in high school where he also played some WR; also a good student and character player."
Not huge by NFL standard, but has good functional strength and is a physical tackler who had 113 tackles in 2010; can get into the backfield, but is not necessarily a natural pass rusher;
Also covers a lot of ground in coverage and had a couple of picks last fall, but isn’t quite as instinctive when playing in reverse; excellent all-around athlete was a state-level triple jumper in high school where he also played some WR; also a good student and character player."
"Positives -- Has ideal size for the OLB position playing behind a gap-control three-man front, has the height to see over linemen and follow the ball carrier behind his blockers... Has good speed and above-average quickness for his size, possesses a good mix of athleticism and strength...
No character concerns to speak of, has had no off-the-field issues, works hard and shows dedication to the game... Very good production in last two years at Texas (204 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, eight passes broken up)...
Coverage skills are more than adequate, plays well in short zone coverage, has the size and fluidity to run with most tight ends... Shows ability to move laterally with ease, has fluid footwork and natural instincts to avoid traffic, scrapes well across the line of scrimmage, has the potential to be a complete sideline-to-sideline defender...
Looks to be an ideal fit at the SLB position, is at his best when he is free to roam a little, can cover a lot of ground in coverage and pursuit... Has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level given the right fit.
Negatives -- Is a little thin for his height, has the frame to bulk up and add some upper-body mass... Not especially explosive in any area of the game, has good athleticism but does not drive through tackles or overpower blockers...
Is not a natural pass rusher, is more comfortable reading and reacting to plays than being cut loose to get after the quarterback... Not great at shedding blocks when engaged, has long arms and shows good hand control, but lacks upper-body strength to disengage when blocker gets into his pads...
Plays a little high at times, has a high center of gravity and will lose leverage to blockers with better technique... Is an inconsistent tackler, will get too high at times and fail to wrap up in space."
No character concerns to speak of, has had no off-the-field issues, works hard and shows dedication to the game... Very good production in last two years at Texas (204 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, eight passes broken up)...
Coverage skills are more than adequate, plays well in short zone coverage, has the size and fluidity to run with most tight ends... Shows ability to move laterally with ease, has fluid footwork and natural instincts to avoid traffic, scrapes well across the line of scrimmage, has the potential to be a complete sideline-to-sideline defender...
Looks to be an ideal fit at the SLB position, is at his best when he is free to roam a little, can cover a lot of ground in coverage and pursuit... Has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level given the right fit.
Negatives -- Is a little thin for his height, has the frame to bulk up and add some upper-body mass... Not especially explosive in any area of the game, has good athleticism but does not drive through tackles or overpower blockers...
Is not a natural pass rusher, is more comfortable reading and reacting to plays than being cut loose to get after the quarterback... Not great at shedding blocks when engaged, has long arms and shows good hand control, but lacks upper-body strength to disengage when blocker gets into his pads...
Plays a little high at times, has a high center of gravity and will lose leverage to blockers with better technique... Is an inconsistent tackler, will get too high at times and fail to wrap up in space."
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