FS Trenton Robinson of Michigan State ~ 5.10/195
~ Zimbio ~
"Robinson has the size and speed of a cornerback but it doesn't take much film-watching to see why the Spartans like his physicality at the safety position. This under-the-radar high school recruit has more than exceeded expectations during his first three years in East Lansing.
After working on special teams as a freshman in 2008 (making six tackles), Robinson earned seven starts in 11 games the following year. He ranked fourth on the team with 67 tackles (he also intercepted one pass and deflected two others) despite missing two contests with an ankle injury. His breakout season came in 2010, however, as the second-team All-Big Ten pick (coaches) finished in the top five in the conference in interceptions (four), pass break-ups (eight).
Robinson's biggest performance in 2010 came when the Spartans went into Ann Arbor and beat then-number 18-ranked -- and arch-rival-- Michigan. His seven tackles included a TD-saving stop against running back Mike Shaw, then he intercepted QB Denard Robinson's third-down pass into the end zone. That set the tone for a 34-17 win, and a share of the Big Ten regular season title for MSU--their first in twenty years. In a weak safety class, a few more big plays will put him near the top of the heap.
***
Man Coverage: Looks like a corner, but doesn't quite move like one. Fair hip fluidity when changing directions, but not enough to adjust to top-notch NFL route-runners. When his feet are moving, stays with slot receivers on double-moves. Lacks recovery speed to catch receivers if he stands still waiting for them to arrive. Needs work on backpedalling to prevent defenders from getting behind him.
Zone Coverage: Teams relying heavily on zone may try him at corner because of size/speed. Picks up crossing routes well from the hash, uses cornerback speed to chase and cut in front of passes when possible. A step late to pick up deep out when corner takes the shallow route, also takes time to recognize comeback route at the first down marker.
Ball Skills: Makes the easy interception, at times with hands away from his frame. Always find the ball quickly enough to at least a hand on it, has nice arm length and gives great effort to rip the ball from the receiver's hands. Short stature, however, will hurt him downfield in jump ball situations against taller, stronger NFL receivers.
Run Support: Not afraid to stick his nose into traffic against the run despite his size. Comes off the edge on run blitzes regularly. Gives all effort to wrap and drag down bigger backs. Does not spend much time in the box. Lacks bulk and size to hold up against lineman inside at the next level.
Tackling: Uses long arms (longer than expected given his height) and speed to track down ballcarriers in the open field. Not a big thumper, but will take his shot if a receiver is trying to make the extra yard. Will leave his feet or duck his head at times, leading to missed tackles against stronger ballcarriers.
Intangibles: Hard-working team leader who has earned the respect of his coaches for his work ethic and gets the most out of his physical gifts. Does not back down from any challenge."
--Chad Reuter
After working on special teams as a freshman in 2008 (making six tackles), Robinson earned seven starts in 11 games the following year. He ranked fourth on the team with 67 tackles (he also intercepted one pass and deflected two others) despite missing two contests with an ankle injury. His breakout season came in 2010, however, as the second-team All-Big Ten pick (coaches) finished in the top five in the conference in interceptions (four), pass break-ups (eight).
Robinson's biggest performance in 2010 came when the Spartans went into Ann Arbor and beat then-number 18-ranked -- and arch-rival-- Michigan. His seven tackles included a TD-saving stop against running back Mike Shaw, then he intercepted QB Denard Robinson's third-down pass into the end zone. That set the tone for a 34-17 win, and a share of the Big Ten regular season title for MSU--their first in twenty years. In a weak safety class, a few more big plays will put him near the top of the heap.
***
Man Coverage: Looks like a corner, but doesn't quite move like one. Fair hip fluidity when changing directions, but not enough to adjust to top-notch NFL route-runners. When his feet are moving, stays with slot receivers on double-moves. Lacks recovery speed to catch receivers if he stands still waiting for them to arrive. Needs work on backpedalling to prevent defenders from getting behind him.
Zone Coverage: Teams relying heavily on zone may try him at corner because of size/speed. Picks up crossing routes well from the hash, uses cornerback speed to chase and cut in front of passes when possible. A step late to pick up deep out when corner takes the shallow route, also takes time to recognize comeback route at the first down marker.
Ball Skills: Makes the easy interception, at times with hands away from his frame. Always find the ball quickly enough to at least a hand on it, has nice arm length and gives great effort to rip the ball from the receiver's hands. Short stature, however, will hurt him downfield in jump ball situations against taller, stronger NFL receivers.
Run Support: Not afraid to stick his nose into traffic against the run despite his size. Comes off the edge on run blitzes regularly. Gives all effort to wrap and drag down bigger backs. Does not spend much time in the box. Lacks bulk and size to hold up against lineman inside at the next level.
Tackling: Uses long arms (longer than expected given his height) and speed to track down ballcarriers in the open field. Not a big thumper, but will take his shot if a receiver is trying to make the extra yard. Will leave his feet or duck his head at times, leading to missed tackles against stronger ballcarriers.
Intangibles: Hard-working team leader who has earned the respect of his coaches for his work ethic and gets the most out of his physical gifts. Does not back down from any challenge."
--Chad Reuter
"A compact, well put together safety who looks a bit taller than his listed height. Reads and reacts quickly to the run game, doesn't waste much motion when asked to drive downhill on the football and is really compact/balanced with his footwork.
At times gets a bit nonchalant when responsible for playing as the last line defender and will stop moving his feet and lose a bit of his angle. However, for the most part takes consistent angles in space, displays a natural burst when closing on the ball carrier and is a consistent wrap-up tackler in all areas of the game.
Drops pad level well, creates a snap at the point and brings his legs through contact.
Did a better job as a senior sitting into his stance in his drop and keeping his base under him. Is quickly able to diagnose the routes and does a nice job collecting himself and creating a burst when asked to drive on throws in front of him.
Takes very good angles underneath as well in coverage when there is a completion under him and routinely tackles in space. Will get caught sitting on routes at times, causing him to stop moving his feet and doesn't have a great feel in man coverage.
Looks tight when asked to turn and run and will allow backs/tight ends to get behind him out of his transition. Nevertheless, does display natural balance/coordination when asked to re-direct in coverage, both in the deep half and in man and feels routes around him and routinely is able to drive on throws.
However, is much more effective in tighter areas than trying to hold his own in the center field type role. Has a tendency to get turned around trying to hold his own in space. But, once he collects himself has a natrual burst and can close in the deep half.
Impression: Isn't a real dynamic athlete. Is coordinated and can keep his feet under him, but looks tighter when asked to turn and run. Tackles well and looks like at best a low end starter who needs to play in tighter areas to be effective in coverage."
At times gets a bit nonchalant when responsible for playing as the last line defender and will stop moving his feet and lose a bit of his angle. However, for the most part takes consistent angles in space, displays a natural burst when closing on the ball carrier and is a consistent wrap-up tackler in all areas of the game.
Drops pad level well, creates a snap at the point and brings his legs through contact.
Did a better job as a senior sitting into his stance in his drop and keeping his base under him. Is quickly able to diagnose the routes and does a nice job collecting himself and creating a burst when asked to drive on throws in front of him.
Takes very good angles underneath as well in coverage when there is a completion under him and routinely tackles in space. Will get caught sitting on routes at times, causing him to stop moving his feet and doesn't have a great feel in man coverage.
Looks tight when asked to turn and run and will allow backs/tight ends to get behind him out of his transition. Nevertheless, does display natural balance/coordination when asked to re-direct in coverage, both in the deep half and in man and feels routes around him and routinely is able to drive on throws.
However, is much more effective in tighter areas than trying to hold his own in the center field type role. Has a tendency to get turned around trying to hold his own in space. But, once he collects himself has a natrual burst and can close in the deep half.
Impression: Isn't a real dynamic athlete. Is coordinated and can keep his feet under him, but looks tighter when asked to turn and run. Tackles well and looks like at best a low end starter who needs to play in tighter areas to be effective in coverage."
"An adequate-sized, active defender, Robinson has a mixture of free and strong safety traits but isn't outstanding at either, though he likes to play and it shows in his energetic on-field temperament.
Drops downhill aggressively in run support and has good cover skills that enable him to shadow in man coverage and break on throws in zone.
Suddenness and range are just average, takes some inaccurate angles and needs to get stronger.
However, is a solid player who should become a dependable backup at worst."
Drops downhill aggressively in run support and has good cover skills that enable him to shadow in man coverage and break on throws in zone.
Suddenness and range are just average, takes some inaccurate angles and needs to get stronger.
However, is a solid player who should become a dependable backup at worst."
"Active, but undersized FS with corner speed; in fact, was recruited as a CB;
Not tall for a safety and under 200 pounds, but is a solid wrap-up tackler who had 76 stops last fall, but doesn’t make many plays at the line of scrimmage; covers a lot of ground with sub-4.5 speed and good instincts;
Matches up well with slot receivers in man coverage, but can be physically outmatched by bigger receivers; breaks well on the ball in zone and has good ball skills; had 4 picks last fall along with 4 other pass break-ups."
Not tall for a safety and under 200 pounds, but is a solid wrap-up tackler who had 76 stops last fall, but doesn’t make many plays at the line of scrimmage; covers a lot of ground with sub-4.5 speed and good instincts;
Matches up well with slot receivers in man coverage, but can be physically outmatched by bigger receivers; breaks well on the ball in zone and has good ball skills; had 4 picks last fall along with 4 other pass break-ups."
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