B_Ambuehl
04-27-2008, 09:59 PM
Both on and off the field.
<b>Overview</b>
One of the most electrifying return specialists to ever perform in the collegiate ranks, Robinson adds to his resume as a clutch possession-type receiver who is a dangerous threat on the reverse, in addition to performing capably on the return coverage units. He is one of the few collegians to score on a reception, rushing attempt, kickoff return and a punt return in a career.<br><br>To call Robinson a big-play specialist would be putting it mildly, as his average gain of 16.16 yards every time he touched the ball set an NCAA career-record. He shares the college football record by scoring eight times on kick returns in a career, and his 1,260 kickoff return yards in 2007 set an NCAA season-record. He also established an NCAA record with 3,829 yards gained on total kick returns.<br><br>Robinson set school career-records with 178 receptions, 1,104 yards gained on punt returns, four punts that were returned for touchdowns and 6,479 yards in all-purpose yardage. He also holds the USU all-time records with 110 kickoff returns for 2,725 yards and four scores.<br><br>Utah State did not join the Western Athletic Conference until 2005, so Robinson's totals in 2004 do not count towards the league's career records. However, he ranks tenth in WAC history with 5,169 all-purpose yards over his final three seasons. His average of 15.81 yards gained per play in that span set a conference all-time mark.<br><br>At Hoover High School, Robinson was a two-time first-team All-League selection as a defensive back. He earned All-Valley honors as a senior and was an honorable mention All-League pick as a sophomore. He recorded four interceptions as a senior. As a wide receiver, he had 69 catches for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also competed in basketball and track and reached the state finals in the triple jump.<br><br>In 2003, Robinson enrolled at Utah State, where his brother, John Rushing, a former defensive back at Washington State, had just joined the staff as the secondary coach. He spent the season red-shirting and playing on the scout team. In 2004, he made a huge splash on the national scene, as he ranked second in the NCAA with a 22.5-yard average on 17 punt returns. <br><br>Robinson earned Freshman All-American and second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors, as the team MVP started three of eleven games at flanker. He led the squad with 44 receptions for 602 yards (13.7 avg) and three touchdowns, adding 326 yards and a score on 13 kickoff returns (25.1 avg). <br><br>Rated the fourth-best return specialist in the country by The Sporting News, Robinson ranked second in the Western Athletic Conference with an average of 138.2 all-purpose yards per game in 2005. He started nine games at flanker, finishing second on the team with 43 catches for 661 yards (15.4 avg) and eight touchdowns. He carried 13 times for 91 yards (7.0 avg) and a score, returned 27 punts for 270 yards and a touchdown, adding 498 yards on 23 kickoff returns (21.7 avg).<br><br>Robinson shifted to split end in 2006, starting nine games. He made 36 catches for 582 yards (16.2 avg) and five touchdowns. He totaled 35 yards on six carries, 74 yards on 14 punt returns (5.3 avg) and 641 yards on 31 kickoff returns (20.7 avg). He finished with 1,332 all-purpose yards and also posted two solo tackles.<br><br>As a senior, Robinson led the nation with an 18.9-yard average on 20 punt returns, scoring once. He placed sixth nationally with 43 kickoff returns for an NCAA record 1,260 yards (29.3 avg) and three touchdowns. His 2,317 all-purpose yards rank second on the Western Athletic Conference season-record list. He led the team with 55 receptions for 640 yards (11.6 avg) and five scores. He also carried 16 times for 39 yards (2.4 avg), garnering All-American and All-Western Athletic Conference honors. <br><br>In 46 games at Utah State, Robinson started 32 contests. He holds the school record with 178 receptions, ranks third with 2,485 receiving yards (14.0 avg) and is tied for third in USU annals with 21 touchdown grabs. He rushed 35 times for 165 yards (4.7 avg) and a score. He returned 78 punts for a school record 1,104 yards (14.2 avg) and four touchdowns.<br><br>He scored 182 points and recorded eight tackles (7 solos) with a forced fumble. Robinson amassed 2,725 yards with four touchdowns on 110 kickoff returns (24.8 avg). He touched the ball 401 times for 6,479 all-purpose yards, an average of 140.85 yards per game.<br><br>Robinson returned to the national spotlight with a stellar performance in the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. He caught a touchdown pass and returning a punt for a score in the West's 31-13 victory over the East in the 83rd East-West Shrine Game. He gave the West a 7-3 lead when he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. He quickly dashed past the first wave of defenders and then outran a couple more before juking the punter on his way into the end zone, which he flipped into. <br><br>Robinson, who led Utah State in scoring the last three seasons, extended the West's lead to 24-6 when he scored on a 5-yard pass from Josh Johnson in the fourth quarter. He finished with four receptions for 28 yards. "I came from a small school and not too many people know about me," he said. "This was just an opportunity for me to go out there and just show what I could do against better competition. I wanted to show that no matter where I'm from, I'm still a good player and I can play with the best."
<br><b>Positives:</b> Plays with good aggression, but needs to improve his overall strength...Lacks the timed speed you want in a receiver, but compensates as a returner with his hip weave and patience waiting for blocks to develop...Runs with a normal stride and has enough initial quickness for his short-area in-stride cuts...Runs with good body control and shows agility and balance on his cuts working underneath (drifts a bit on long patterns)...<b>More of a game day player than one with good practice habits</b>, but is tough and aggressive while going for the ball...Shows good focus on turning the defender and getting open in his routes...When he extends his arms and keeps his hands active, he has much better success escaping press coverage...Sets up his breaks well, working to turn the defenders, doing a nice job of adjusting on the move to locate the open areas underneath...Shows alertness to the first-down markers and has body control along the sidelines (will get bounced around working over the middle)...Sets up his cuts and shows functional quickness out of his breaks, with steady (but slow) acceleration and the ability to adjust on the move...Best when running the quick outs, curls, and hitches, showing alertness on the move and the ability to uncover and adjust to the ball...Shows good concentration while going up for the ball in a crowd, but has to improve his timing on his leaps and add more power to prevent the defender from boxing him out when trying to compete for jump balls...Shows balance, body control, and flexibility while adjusting for off-target throws and has the soft hands to field balls with ease as a kickoff returner...Very effective at using his hip weave, shoulder and head fakes to set up the defender and elude after the catch, compensating for a lack of blazing speed...Patient waiting for his blocks to develop on returns and shows good adjustment skills to look the ball in over his outside shoulder.
<b>Negatives:</b> Has a thick frame, but only adequate muscle definition throughout, needing to improve his overall strength...Competes in his routes, but doesn't possess a sudden burst or acceptable top-end speed...<b>Needs more than several reps to retain plays (has a verified learning disability)</b>...Needs to do a better job of recognizing coverages (runs into spots at times)...<b>Called a "game player" by the coaching staff, he needs to be monitored and pushed in his training program (does not comply to their team training program)</b>...Has good short area quickness, but fails to build his acceleration throughout the route when going long distances...Lacks the second gear to separate after the catch and must do a better job of extending for the ball outside his frame...Tries to weave and wiggle his way through a crowd, but his lack of foot speed will see him caught from behind...Has put up impressive return figures, but it has been done vs. mediocre competition...More of a pester type of blocker, lacking the strength to face up or sustain (also gets too wide with his hands when engaging defenders)...Gets most of his yardage with his hip weave and shows just adequate vision locating the seam...<b>Had one off-field issue (caught taking a bicycle on campus)</b>...Must develop a better hand punch, as he struggles to escape the press vs. more physical defenders...Better on outside pass plays, as he lacks the strength to combat for the ball in a crowd, as defenders have had good success neutralizing him over the middle...Does a poor job of shielding the ball from defenders and needs to show better ball distribution to prevent costly turnovers...Has poor leaping ability and will generally lose most jump ball battles...Has marginal timed speed to provide value as a receiver lining out wide and lacks the strength or ability to get to throws working in the slot at the next level.
<b>Compares To:</b> JOSH CRIBBS-Cleveland...Like Cribbs, Robinson will bring better value as a return man than as a receiver, but his lack of speed is a major concern, as he's had the bulk of his success vs. mediocre competition. He is an adequate receiver, at best, who lacks a burst or second gear and gets bounced around too much trying to go for throws in a crowd. He doesn't have the speed to win foot races and gets separation on his weave, rather than suddenness. With his learning disability and need to be monitored in his training, he brings special team value, at best, but I just think his lack of speed is not going to see him have any sort of success that he had in college at the next level.
<b>Overview</b>
One of the most electrifying return specialists to ever perform in the collegiate ranks, Robinson adds to his resume as a clutch possession-type receiver who is a dangerous threat on the reverse, in addition to performing capably on the return coverage units. He is one of the few collegians to score on a reception, rushing attempt, kickoff return and a punt return in a career.<br><br>To call Robinson a big-play specialist would be putting it mildly, as his average gain of 16.16 yards every time he touched the ball set an NCAA career-record. He shares the college football record by scoring eight times on kick returns in a career, and his 1,260 kickoff return yards in 2007 set an NCAA season-record. He also established an NCAA record with 3,829 yards gained on total kick returns.<br><br>Robinson set school career-records with 178 receptions, 1,104 yards gained on punt returns, four punts that were returned for touchdowns and 6,479 yards in all-purpose yardage. He also holds the USU all-time records with 110 kickoff returns for 2,725 yards and four scores.<br><br>Utah State did not join the Western Athletic Conference until 2005, so Robinson's totals in 2004 do not count towards the league's career records. However, he ranks tenth in WAC history with 5,169 all-purpose yards over his final three seasons. His average of 15.81 yards gained per play in that span set a conference all-time mark.<br><br>At Hoover High School, Robinson was a two-time first-team All-League selection as a defensive back. He earned All-Valley honors as a senior and was an honorable mention All-League pick as a sophomore. He recorded four interceptions as a senior. As a wide receiver, he had 69 catches for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also competed in basketball and track and reached the state finals in the triple jump.<br><br>In 2003, Robinson enrolled at Utah State, where his brother, John Rushing, a former defensive back at Washington State, had just joined the staff as the secondary coach. He spent the season red-shirting and playing on the scout team. In 2004, he made a huge splash on the national scene, as he ranked second in the NCAA with a 22.5-yard average on 17 punt returns. <br><br>Robinson earned Freshman All-American and second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors, as the team MVP started three of eleven games at flanker. He led the squad with 44 receptions for 602 yards (13.7 avg) and three touchdowns, adding 326 yards and a score on 13 kickoff returns (25.1 avg). <br><br>Rated the fourth-best return specialist in the country by The Sporting News, Robinson ranked second in the Western Athletic Conference with an average of 138.2 all-purpose yards per game in 2005. He started nine games at flanker, finishing second on the team with 43 catches for 661 yards (15.4 avg) and eight touchdowns. He carried 13 times for 91 yards (7.0 avg) and a score, returned 27 punts for 270 yards and a touchdown, adding 498 yards on 23 kickoff returns (21.7 avg).<br><br>Robinson shifted to split end in 2006, starting nine games. He made 36 catches for 582 yards (16.2 avg) and five touchdowns. He totaled 35 yards on six carries, 74 yards on 14 punt returns (5.3 avg) and 641 yards on 31 kickoff returns (20.7 avg). He finished with 1,332 all-purpose yards and also posted two solo tackles.<br><br>As a senior, Robinson led the nation with an 18.9-yard average on 20 punt returns, scoring once. He placed sixth nationally with 43 kickoff returns for an NCAA record 1,260 yards (29.3 avg) and three touchdowns. His 2,317 all-purpose yards rank second on the Western Athletic Conference season-record list. He led the team with 55 receptions for 640 yards (11.6 avg) and five scores. He also carried 16 times for 39 yards (2.4 avg), garnering All-American and All-Western Athletic Conference honors. <br><br>In 46 games at Utah State, Robinson started 32 contests. He holds the school record with 178 receptions, ranks third with 2,485 receiving yards (14.0 avg) and is tied for third in USU annals with 21 touchdown grabs. He rushed 35 times for 165 yards (4.7 avg) and a score. He returned 78 punts for a school record 1,104 yards (14.2 avg) and four touchdowns.<br><br>He scored 182 points and recorded eight tackles (7 solos) with a forced fumble. Robinson amassed 2,725 yards with four touchdowns on 110 kickoff returns (24.8 avg). He touched the ball 401 times for 6,479 all-purpose yards, an average of 140.85 yards per game.<br><br>Robinson returned to the national spotlight with a stellar performance in the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. He caught a touchdown pass and returning a punt for a score in the West's 31-13 victory over the East in the 83rd East-West Shrine Game. He gave the West a 7-3 lead when he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter. He quickly dashed past the first wave of defenders and then outran a couple more before juking the punter on his way into the end zone, which he flipped into. <br><br>Robinson, who led Utah State in scoring the last three seasons, extended the West's lead to 24-6 when he scored on a 5-yard pass from Josh Johnson in the fourth quarter. He finished with four receptions for 28 yards. "I came from a small school and not too many people know about me," he said. "This was just an opportunity for me to go out there and just show what I could do against better competition. I wanted to show that no matter where I'm from, I'm still a good player and I can play with the best."
<br><b>Positives:</b> Plays with good aggression, but needs to improve his overall strength...Lacks the timed speed you want in a receiver, but compensates as a returner with his hip weave and patience waiting for blocks to develop...Runs with a normal stride and has enough initial quickness for his short-area in-stride cuts...Runs with good body control and shows agility and balance on his cuts working underneath (drifts a bit on long patterns)...<b>More of a game day player than one with good practice habits</b>, but is tough and aggressive while going for the ball...Shows good focus on turning the defender and getting open in his routes...When he extends his arms and keeps his hands active, he has much better success escaping press coverage...Sets up his breaks well, working to turn the defenders, doing a nice job of adjusting on the move to locate the open areas underneath...Shows alertness to the first-down markers and has body control along the sidelines (will get bounced around working over the middle)...Sets up his cuts and shows functional quickness out of his breaks, with steady (but slow) acceleration and the ability to adjust on the move...Best when running the quick outs, curls, and hitches, showing alertness on the move and the ability to uncover and adjust to the ball...Shows good concentration while going up for the ball in a crowd, but has to improve his timing on his leaps and add more power to prevent the defender from boxing him out when trying to compete for jump balls...Shows balance, body control, and flexibility while adjusting for off-target throws and has the soft hands to field balls with ease as a kickoff returner...Very effective at using his hip weave, shoulder and head fakes to set up the defender and elude after the catch, compensating for a lack of blazing speed...Patient waiting for his blocks to develop on returns and shows good adjustment skills to look the ball in over his outside shoulder.
<b>Negatives:</b> Has a thick frame, but only adequate muscle definition throughout, needing to improve his overall strength...Competes in his routes, but doesn't possess a sudden burst or acceptable top-end speed...<b>Needs more than several reps to retain plays (has a verified learning disability)</b>...Needs to do a better job of recognizing coverages (runs into spots at times)...<b>Called a "game player" by the coaching staff, he needs to be monitored and pushed in his training program (does not comply to their team training program)</b>...Has good short area quickness, but fails to build his acceleration throughout the route when going long distances...Lacks the second gear to separate after the catch and must do a better job of extending for the ball outside his frame...Tries to weave and wiggle his way through a crowd, but his lack of foot speed will see him caught from behind...Has put up impressive return figures, but it has been done vs. mediocre competition...More of a pester type of blocker, lacking the strength to face up or sustain (also gets too wide with his hands when engaging defenders)...Gets most of his yardage with his hip weave and shows just adequate vision locating the seam...<b>Had one off-field issue (caught taking a bicycle on campus)</b>...Must develop a better hand punch, as he struggles to escape the press vs. more physical defenders...Better on outside pass plays, as he lacks the strength to combat for the ball in a crowd, as defenders have had good success neutralizing him over the middle...Does a poor job of shielding the ball from defenders and needs to show better ball distribution to prevent costly turnovers...Has poor leaping ability and will generally lose most jump ball battles...Has marginal timed speed to provide value as a receiver lining out wide and lacks the strength or ability to get to throws working in the slot at the next level.
<b>Compares To:</b> JOSH CRIBBS-Cleveland...Like Cribbs, Robinson will bring better value as a return man than as a receiver, but his lack of speed is a major concern, as he's had the bulk of his success vs. mediocre competition. He is an adequate receiver, at best, who lacks a burst or second gear and gets bounced around too much trying to go for throws in a crowd. He doesn't have the speed to win foot races and gets separation on his weave, rather than suddenness. With his learning disability and need to be monitored in his training, he brings special team value, at best, but I just think his lack of speed is not going to see him have any sort of success that he had in college at the next level.