Kenny Robinson Drafted by Panthers
To the dismay of many, Kenny Robinson’s career as a Mountaineer ended abruptly. Very soon after head coach Neal Brown took over as West Virginia’s head coach, Robinson announced he would not return to the Mountaineers due to ongoing academic issues. Robinson seemed poised to transfer, but he later declared for the XFL draft. He played several games for the St. Louis Battlehawks before the league folded due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, Kenny Robinson was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 5th round as the 152nd selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was one of two West Virginia players taken in the draft. The San Francisco took tackle Colton McKivitiz with the very next pick.
Over his first two seasons with the Mountaineers, Robinson became an early contributor. He played in 23 games as safety, amassing 123 tackles (four for loss). Robinson added seven interceptions while returning two for touchdowns. He developed an early reputation as a known ball hawk, and he continued building that reputation in St. Louis. Robinson breaks on the ball well. Robinson earned his reputation through his combination of instincts and acceleration. In short, his skill set plays perfectly into that reputation.
Robinson’s future in the NFL is difficult to predict. He projects best as a safety in single-high formations where his range and instincts can be used most effectively. He might not be an every-down player for his first few years, but Robinson could make the most of his time in select packages by disrupting opposing offenses and creating turnovers. We wish Kenny Robinson the best as he begins his NFL career with the Panthers.
