Looking back, Austrian Robinson ’15 didn’t quite have this in mind. Five years in an SEC football program: Ole Miss starting defensive tackle, winner of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award (the highest honor given to a Rebel senior defensive player); father to his junior, a little Austrian; and now, waiting for the next call from an NFL team.
As a sophomore, Robinson left home in Harlem to play basketball for Trinity-Pawling. A young athlete, he was all in as a basketball player. When Coach Coratti saw Robinson’s size as he waited in the buffet line, he quickly did some lunchtime recruitment. Robinson thought he’d play some JV football, stay in shape — instead he became a force in just his first year playing football. “I didn’t know what I was doing at all,” he says, “I was just running fast, out-stronging people.”
He aimed for the pinnacle of college football, the SEC, and quickly saw how the big boys do it. “The speed of the game was different, everybody knows what they’re doing. Strength-wise I was fine, but coming from not as much experience made the learning curve fast.” Robinson elected to redshirt his freshman year, saying “It was a decision from the business perspective. We had depth and it was a better idea to not play 60 snaps a game.”
Robinson ultimately tallied five sacks and an interception in his career, playing in over 45 games for Ole Miss. Robinson says he’s always been a sponge. “I absorb everything I can. I might not always ask the questions, but if I see someone doing something, I’m watching.” He calls on young athletes to follow this lead. “Don’t be afraid to seek help. Take things from other people’s game. Work-ethic wise, push yourself because the window with football is short, and watch film!”
As an undrafted free agent, Robinson signed with the Carolina Panthers, participating in pre-camp during the beginning of the pandemic. A back injury prevented him from joining the final roster. Now healthy, he continues to soak in the game on Sundays, ready for his next unexpected call to action.
by Cyrus Rothwell-Ferraris