Kenny Robinson (American football)

Last updated

Kenny Robinson
No. 24 – Birmingham Stallions
Position: Strong safety
Personal information
Born: (1999-01-08) January 8, 1999 (age 25)
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Imani Christian Academy
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College: West Virginia (2017–2018)
NFL draft: 2020  / Round: 5 / Pick: 152
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Midseason All-XFL (2020)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:18
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Kenneth Robinson Jr. (born January 8, 1999) is an American football safety for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at West Virginia, and previously played for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL and Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

Early years

Robinson grew up in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and began his high school career as a freshman at Central Catholic before transferring to University Prep. His junior season was derailed by a leg injury. After the season, Robinson transferred to Imani Christian Academy for his senior year. He was named PIAA all-state 1A first-team as a defensive back. [1] A 3-star recruit, Robinson committed to West Virginia over offers from Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Toledo, Temple, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. [2] [3]

College career

Robinson mainly played safety for the West Virginia Mountaineers after playing cornerback for several games as a freshman. He returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown against Texas as a freshman and made the game-saving pick versus Kansas State. [2] Robinson had 123 tackles and 7 interceptions, two of which were returned for a defensive touchdown, in his two-year college career. [4] [5] He was named to the First-team All-Big 12 Conference after his sophomore season. Robinson was expelled from West Virginia after a student code of conduct violation involving academic fraud. He initially entered the transfer portal in June 2019, but ultimately decided to join the XFL to provide for his family's immediate needs. Robinson's ambitious professional move was praised as "trailblazing" by USA Today . [6]

College statistics

Defense & FumblesTackDefFumb
YearSchoolConfClassPosGSoloAstTotLossSkIntYdsAvgTDPDFRYdsTDFF
*2017West VirginiaBig 12FRS113214462.00.0317056.72300
*2018West VirginiaBig 12SOS125225772.00.045814.50411
Career West Virginia84391234.00.0722832.62711

Professional career

St. Louis BattleHawks

In October 2019, Robinson was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL via the 2020 XFL Draft. He was picked up in the 5th round (39th overall) of Phase 4: Defensive Backs. [7] Robinson was the only player in the XFL who was eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft, and the XFL paid for him to take college classes online. [8] [9] He said he chose the XFL to help his mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. In Week 3 of the season, Robinson had an interception, and in Week 5 he was nominated for the XFL's Star of the Week with a pick and a sack. [10] In the coronavirus-shortened XFL season, Robinson started all five games for the BattleHawks and had 21 tackles and two interceptions. [11] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020. [12]

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers selected Robinson with the 152nd pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the first XFL player to be drafted into the NFL. [13] Robinson was represented at the draft by Beyond Athlete Management. [14] He was waived on September 6, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [15] [16] Robinson was promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2020. [17]

On August 31, 2021, Robinson was waived by the Panthers, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. [18] [19] He was promoted to the active roster on October 14, 2021. [20]

In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, Robinson scored his first NFL touchdown on a special teams play in which he recovered a punt blocked by Frankie Luvu for 4 yards to the end zone during the 34–28 overtime loss.

On August 30, 2022, Robinson was waived by the Panthers and signed to the practice squad the next day. [21] [22] He was released on September 2. He was re-signed on October 5. [23]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On January 11, 2023, Robinson signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. [24] He was waived on August 28, 2023. [25]

Birmingham Stallions

On November 30, 2023, Robinson signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL). [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juston Burris</span> American football player (born 1993)

Juston Burris is a former American football safety. He played college football at NC State and was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jets, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers.

Quadree Khalid Henderson is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Sharpe (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

David Sharpe is an American football offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Houston Texans and Washington Football Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Cannon</span> American football player (born 1994)

Trenton Cannon is an American football running back who is a free agent. He played college football at Virginia State, and was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Thomas (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jordan Malik Thomas is an American football tight end for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Mississippi State as a tight end and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent Scott</span> American football player (born 1994)

Trenton Denzel Scott is an American football offensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Grambling State. Scott has also been a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Keith Elliot Kirkwood is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hawaii and Temple.

Gary Jennings Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at West Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Pride</span> American football player (born 1998)

Troy Pride Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ishmael Hyman</span> American football player (born 1995)

Ishmael Hyman is an American professional football wide receiver for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at James Madison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Luton</span> American football player (born 1996)

Jake Luton is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stantley Thomas-Oliver</span> American football player (born 1998)

Stantley Thomas-Oliver III is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida International.

Colin Thompson is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida and Temple.

Myles Hartsfield is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Ole Miss.

Adrian Killins Jr. is an American football running back. He played college football at UCF. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) and Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

Sam Tecklenburg is an American football center who is a free agent. He played college football at Baylor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Wright (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Matthew Wright is an American football placekicker who is a free agent. Wright is known for breaking the Jacksonville Jaguars' 20-game losing streak, when he scored two fourth quarter field goals, including a game-winning 53 yarder in an NFL International Series game against the Miami Dolphins in London. Wright played college football at UCF where he was a member of the undefeated 2017 team that was selected as National Champions by the Colley Matrix.

Jalen Camp is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Thomas Fletcher is a former American football long snapper who is the special teams coordinator for the UCLA Bruins. He played college football at Alabama, where he won the Patrick Mannelly Award in 2020. Fletcher was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft but missed his rookie season due to a hip injury and was waived prior to the 2022 season.

Spencer Brown is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UAB and holds multiple school career rushing records. He was signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Bell, Nate (October 18, 2019). "Kenny Robinson Jr. Takes XFL Route to Reach NFL". Pittsburgh Sports Now. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Taylor, Allan (February 15, 2020). "After sprinkling of big plays, Kenny Robinson aims to become reliable". West Virginia Metro News . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Kenny Robinson Recruit Interests". 247sports.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Kenny Robinson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. February 15, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Callihan, Schuyler (January 21, 2020). "BREAKING: Kenny Robinson Eligible for 2020 NFL Draft". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  6. ↑ Gardner, Steve. "Panthers take former XFL safety Kenny Robinson in Round 5". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  7. ↑ Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News . Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  8. ↑ Werner, Barry (February 15, 2020). "Why St. Louis' Kenny Robinson is the most intriguing player in the XFL". Touchdown Wire. USA Today . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ Staples, Andy (February 15, 2020). "Why Kenny Robinson Jr. is the XFL's first test case for NFL Draft hopefuls". The Athletic . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  10. ↑ Heck, Jordan (March 14, 2020). "Kenny Robinson turned to the XFL to help his mom. Now he's eyeing the NFL Draft". Sporting News . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  11. ↑ Everett, Brad (March 27, 2020). "Wilkinsburg's Kenny Robinson eyes lifelong dream of reaching the NFL". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  12. ↑ Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ Simmons, Myles (April 25, 2020). "Panthers select S Kenny Robinson in fifth round". Panthers.com. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Beyond AM". www.beyond.am. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  15. ↑ Simmons, Myles (September 6, 2020). "Panthers claim three players off waivers". Panthers.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  16. ↑ Simmons, Myles (September 7, 2020). "Panthers re-sign Efe Obada, place Eli Apple on reserve/injured". Panthers.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  17. ↑ Simmons, Myles (October 20, 2020). "Panthers place Juston Burris, Keith Kirkwood on reserve/injured list". Panthers.com. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  18. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 31, 2021). "Panthers make more moves en route to 53-man roster deadline". Panthers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  19. ↑ Gantt, Darin (September 1, 2021). "Panthers announce practice squad signings on Wednesday". Panthers.com.
  20. ↑ Gantt, Darin (October 14, 2021). "Panthers place Joseph Charlton on injured reserve". Panthers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Panthers make transactions to get to initial 53-man roster". Panthers.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  22. ↑ Gantt, Darin (August 31, 2022). "Panthers add 14 to practice squad". Panthers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  23. ↑ Gantt, Darin (October 5, 2022). "Panthers place Jeremy Chinn on injured reserve". Panthers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  24. ↑ Varley, Teresa (January 11, 2023). "Steelers sign four to Reserve/Future contracts". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  25. ↑ Varley, Teresa (August 28, 2023). "Steelers make additional roster moves". Steelers.com.
  26. ↑ @USFLStallions (November 30, 2023). "Free Agent Signings" (Tweet). Retrieved December 1, 2023– via Twitter.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.