From Penn Stater to Pro: Allen Robinson
The success of Penn State’s alumnus in the NFL is well-documented, and that hasn’t changed this year.
Allen Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars is one of the more recent Nittany Lions to come out of the draft, and has carved out a consistent role on his roster. He’s following Penn Staters Sean Lee and Cameron Wake of the Cowboys and Dolphins as valuable NFL players in recent years.
Robinson has burst onto the scene since Jacksonville selected him with the 61st pick of the 2014 draft. Robinson’s junior year performance at Penn State (12 games, 97 catches, 1468 yards, 6 touchdowns) asserted him as one of the more talented deep-ball receivers available. He was selected along with Marquis Lee out of USC in the second round to create a dangerous tandem of pass-catchers for franchise quarterback Blake Bortles.
Robinson has only improved since his first snap while Lee has somewhat fizzled out. He was an unknown for much of his rookie season due to more flashy performers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Sammy Watkins, but is second to only Beckham Jr. in overall value among the 2014 WR draft class to date.
His rookie season ended after ten games due to a foot injury, but he caught at least four passes in each of his final nine games and finished with 48 receptions for 548 yards and two touchdowns.
His production caught the eye of the Jaguars organization.
“He’s not a mechanical guy or a straight-line guy,” Jerry Sullivan, Jaguars receivers coach, said after watching Robinson’s offseason workouts. “He can maneuver. He can play inside and outside. He’s improved his route running tenfold.”
While his 42 inch vertical leap, 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame, and quick acceleration make him a dangerous target on deep balls, his versatility in all types of situations earned him a Pro-Bowl selection last season. His talent while at full health showed immediately; he caught 80 balls in 151 targets for 14 touchdowns and 1400 yards.
A chunk of that jump in production is due to Bortles’ year two improvements and his growing comfort with the offense. But Robinson was healthy, played in all 16 games, and emerged as the clear top receiver. He ranked sixth in the NFL in yards per reception and 8th in yards per game.
The 23-year old is on pace for another great season in 2016, albeit a bit underwhelming compared to last year’s jump. He’s been targeted 41 times and has 21 catches in four games. With 238 receiving yards, he’s on pace for 952 yards in 16 games, 448 less than last year.
Bottles has struggled with accuracy again this year. That has factored into his limited production thus far (but his three touchdowns in four games are promising).
The fact remains that Robinson is among the most exciting young players in the entire league, and that’s something Penn State hasn’t boasted at the receiver position in the NFL in a long time.
Grant Thomas is a freshman majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email gzt5106@psu.edu.
