Editor’s note: These interviews were prior to the cancellation of the XFL season.
Kenny Robinson’s preferred part about playing in the XFL was merely the reality he got to play at all.
” Being tossed out of school and not understanding when I was going to have the chance to play once again . I simply enjoy the experience as an entire,” Robinson informed Sporting News.
Robinson was an appealing safety at West Virginia, where he made All-Big 12 first team honors as a sophomore. Prior to he might enhance in his junior season, he was kicked out of school after a student code of conduct infraction including scholastic scams.
The 20- year-old Robinson then had a decision to make. He at first got in the NCAA transfer website, however transfers need to remain in excellent scholastic standing in order to be qualified at their brand-new schools. That indicated he ‘d likely have to sit out a year if he desired to play college football.
About 2 weeks after West Virginia required him to leave, Robinson understood the XFL was a chance for him.
” It was sort of hard since my mama, she desired me to return to school right now,” Robinson informed SN about hisdecision “But in my eyes, I felt like she needed help, and my family needed help, so I was going back and forth with that a lot. But I feel like I ended up making the best decision.”
Robinson chose to play in the XFL, ending up being the first gamer with college eligibility staying to sign up with the brand-newleague Robinson’s mom was identified with cancer, and he states that eventually is what made him desire to go professional instead of return to college for his junior season.
” The choosing aspect was my family,” Robinson said. ” It felt like the best option for me was to look after her and ensure whatever was all right.”
XFL commissioner Oliver Luck, who was as soon as West Virginia’s athletic director, has actually been viewing Robinson carefully. And he states Robinson is a gamer he’s rooting for.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Kenny because he basically said, ‘I can improve myself. I can become a better football player by playing in the XFL,'” Luck informed SportingNews “In a sense, he bet on himself.”
“I was always taught to bet on myself and I always believe in myself,” Robinson concurred.
The safety likewise feels like his bet settled, as he played well in the first half of the XFL season prior to it was canceled due to coronavirus issues. He shined with an interception in Week 3, and had another strong efficiency in Week 5 as he was chosen for the XFL’s Star of the Week with one interception and a sack.
“Kenny Robinson has a lot of natural talent,” stated Arif Hasan, who discusses the XFL and NFL Draft for The Athletic. “He has natural receiving skills when he goes up to get the ball, from positioning to hands technique. His speed/strength profile is above average for the position and his natural athleticism, take-on skills and coverage instincts should allow him to play in either the box or as a free safety.”
In Week 4, Robinson was playing expert football while his former colleagues and colleagues were running drills for the NFL Integrate. Considering That the XFL schedule made it hard for Robinson to really get ready for the NFL Draft like every other possibility, he had to display his capability in another method.
“He’s using this XFL season as his personal combine,” Luck stated to SN aboutRobinson “Instead of going to the combine in Indianapolis and doing the various drills, he thinks this makes more sense for him and his situation and I think he’s absolutely right.”
Robinson confessed “it’s kind of weird” to not be with the other NFL Draft potential customers since he feels like he “should be with them right now.” However Robinson is attempting to make the best of it by carrying out on the field. In January he was accepted into the NFL Draft swimming pool, which’s eventually where he hopes to play.
Robinson states he hasn’t talked with his representative much about the draft procedure. He was focused on the season and attempting to help his teamwin With the season over early, it’s now time for Robinson to prepare himself for the capacity next level.
“I think there’s a wide range of draft outcomes for Robinson,” Hasan informed SN. “I believe he’s definitely much better than a variety of those [NFL Combine] individuals, however inadequate to push for a top 100 choice. I might see him picked almost anywhere on Day 3, especially in the 6th round– though it would not amaze me to see him go a round earlier or totally undrafted, though I would be stunned if he wasn’t a concern complimentary representative commanding more than UDFA minimum.
” He ought to be prepared, however it’s constantly hard to inform with the Day 3 swimming pool, specifically offered his distinct scenarios.”
Robinson confessed he might’ve played much better in the XFL, however includes that’s all part of the procedure. He states the most significant distinction in between playing in college and the XFL was the speed. If he is prepared or signed by an NFL team, it might be a substantial course for other professional athletes who are put in a comparable circumstance as Robinson.
“A lot of people who are in a similar situation as me, they haven’t had a way to get to where they really want to go because of all the regulations,” Robinson stated, referring to the NCAA. “Me being the first person I feel like I can be a trailblazer, and give everyone else an opportunity.”
Luck thinks the capacity for others is there.
“We’ll see if it becomes more common,” Luck informed SN. “I think there are always a number of college players who for whatever reason are declared ineligible, could be academics, could be personal behavior, personal conduct issue, guys that might just drop out of school. Certainly that’s at least now an option.”
