Steelers 2014 NFL Draft Player Profiles – Penn State WR Allen Robinson

Good friend Dave-Te’ Thomas of Scouting Services has finished his player profiles of several of the top 2014 NFL Draft prospects and over the course of the next few weeks I will be posting the ones that the Pittsburgh Steelers will more than likely have interest in. While Penn State wide receiver Allen Robinson hasn’t been reported as being a pre draft visitor, there’s a good chance he has been by to talk to the team being as the college is considered as being local. Here now is his profile that was prepared by Thomas, who has done these for the NFL for several years now.

ALLEN BERNARD ROBINSON II
Wide Receiver
The Penn State University Nittany Lions
#8
6:02.5-220
Southfield, Michigan
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory High School

OVERVIEW

Penn State has more than lived up to their nickname “Linebacker University” ever since Joe Paterno took over the program in the 1960s. Never has the school been known for producing nationally recognized wide receivers. Ever since W.T. “Mother” Dunn, a center for the Nittany Lions 1906 team became the first player in school history to earn All-American honors, only two receivers at State College could boast that same honor.

Robinson has a knack for making things look easy on the football field. With great size, speed and strong hands, the Michigan native looked the part of a standout player during the offseason leading up to the 2012 campaign. Members of the team knew Robinson was on the brink of a breakout season when given the opportunity to contribute, but what he accomplished in each of his last two seasons have had the athletic department regularly rewriting the school record book.

Starting only twenty-four games during his time with the Nittany Lions, he ranks second in school history with 177 receptions, finishing third on the charts with 2,474 yards receiving and fourth with seventeen touchdown catches. The flanker accomplished would go on to accomplish a very rare feat during his sophomore and junior seasons – reach 1,000 yards receiving each season. The only player to ever reach the 1,000-yard level before was Bobby Engram, who also accomplished that feat twice during his career (1993-95).

Robinson was instrumental in leading Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep to the Michigan Division III state championship game as a senior. Playing for head coach George Porritt, he caught 44 passes for 720 yards and ten touchdowns in 2010. He also returned two punts for touchdowns and intercepted two passes. He also was captain of the basketball team.

Robinson was a teammate of Nittany Lion quarterback Rob Bolden at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. When the receiver arrived at Penn State in 2011, the coaches quickly realized that he is a big framed receiver with great leaping ability as well as ball skills to take advantage of that height. He demonstrated very good hands and showed that he can make tough grabs whether he’s going up high over a defender, or catching short passes with defenders all over his back. He also displayed good awareness around the sidelines. He’s not a blazer though and is not a big threat after the catch, but he is physical athlete who will block.

After a quiet freshman season that limited Robinson to just one starting assignment, resulting in 29 yards on three catches, he was primed for a breakout season under head coach Bill O’Brien’s pro-style passing attack in 2012. He would produce numbers that PSU fans had never witnessed before. Seeing significant action for the first time in his career in week one vs. Ohio, Robinson busted onto the scene with nine catches for 97 yards in the high-octane newly installed offense.

With his confidence confirmed by the breakout season-opener, Robinson never looked back en route to racing into the record books during a dominant sophomore season. The awards piled up for the athletic and vastly talented sophomore, who was selected the 2012 Big Ten Conference Richter-Howard Receiver-of-the-Year and first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches, media, BTN.com and ESPN.com.

The hard-working and dynamic Robinson shattered the Penn State season receptions record with 77 catches, besting the previous record of 63 held by the only All-American receivers in school history, O.J. McDuffie (1992) and Bobby Engram (1995). He also obliterated the season mark for a sophomore that had been held by Engram (48, 1993) and Deon Butler (48, 2006).

Robinson’s 1,013 yards marked just the third 1,000-yard receiving season in school history, joining Engram (twice) as the only 1,000-yard season receivers to wear the blue and white. He led the Big Ten in catches, receptions per game, receiving yards and touchdown catches in 2012. His eleven touchdown grabs were tied for second-highest in a season at Penn State (Engram, 1995).

Robinson’s 6-3 frame and leaping ability makes him a big target in the red zone, and he enters the year tied for ninth on the career touchdown receptions chart after two seasons.
The former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep standout has breakaway speed and is elusive in the open field. He also is among the squad’s most active members in community service activities.

Robinson again delivered a superb 2013 off-season in the strength and conditioning program and elevated his game to another level during spring practice. Robinson was the team leader in the spring with a 37-inch vertical jump. A prime candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s top receiver, he went out and broke all of the receiving records he set in 2012 during his junior campaign.

He led the Big Ten and finished sixth in the nation with 1,432 yards and was ninth in the FBS with 97 receptions, both ranking fourth on the league season-record chart. There would be no encore for Robinson at Penn State in 2014, though. Shortly after his record-breaking 2013 campaign, Robinson announced he was leaving school to enter the 2014 NFL Draft.

“It was a great honor to play at Penn State,” stated Robinson. “I am blessed to have played with, and for, the people in the Penn State football program. This is a decision that I believe is best for my family and I, and I wish all the best to the University and all my teammates.”

“We are very excited for Allen,” said interim head coach Larry Johnson. “Allen has meant a great deal to our program at Penn State and we wish him all the best and continued success at the next level.”

Robinson is Penn State’s 98th first-team All-America selection all-time, but just the third receiver in the modern era to earn that honor. He is the 84th Penn State football student-athlete to earn first team All-America recognition, dating to W.T. (Mother) Dunn’s selection to the Walter Camp All-America squad in 1906. Additionally, Robinson is the Nittany Lions’ 24th first team All-American since starting Big Ten Conference competition in 1993 (28 total selections).

CAREER NOTES

Robinson started twenty-four of thirty-five games he appeared in at Penn State, as the flanker caught 177 passes for 2,474 yards (13.98 ypc) and seventeen touchdowns … Also gained 36 yards on six carries and recorded one solo tackle … School Career-Record Results … Robinson ranks second on the school record chart for receptions, topped by only Deon Butler (179; 2005-08) … Finished third in school annals with his 2,474 receiving yards, surpassed by Bobby Engram (3,026 yards; 1991, 93-95) and Deon Butler (2,771) … His seventeen scoring grabs are fourth all-time, behind Bobby Engram (31), Kenny Jackson (25; 1980-83), Deon Butler (22) and Derek Moye (18; 2008-11).

SEASON NOTES

In the history of Penn State football, there have been only four 1,000-yard receiving performances in a season recorded – two each by Robinson (2012-13) and Bobby Engram (1994-95) … Big Ten Conference Season-Record Results … His 1,432 yards receiving in 2013 rank fourth on the league season-record chart behind Lee Evans of Wisconsin (1,545 in 2001), Charles Rogers of Michigan State (1,470 in 2001) and David Boston of Ohio State (1,435 in 1998) … His 97 receptions in 2013 tied Braylon Edwards of Michigan (2004) for fourth on the Big Ten chart, topped by Chris Daniels of Purdue (121 in 1999), David Williams of Illinois (101 in 1984) and Rodney Carter of Purdue (98 in 1985) … School Game-Record Results … Robinson holds the top two spots on the school season list with 97 receptions in 2013 and 77 in 2012, topping the previous mark of 63 that was first set by
O.J. McDuffie in 1992 and matched by Bobby Engram in 1995 … His 1,432 yards receiving in 2013 surpassed the old school mark of 1,084 yards by Bobby Engram in 1995, as Engram added 1,029 yards in 1994 and Robinson posted 1,013 in 2012, as those are the only 1,000-yard receiving seasons recorded in Penn State history … His eleven touchdown catches in 2012 are surpassed by only Engram’s thirteen in 1993 on the PSU annual record sheet.

GAME NOTES

Robinson caught twelve passes in each of the 2013 Indiana and Ohio State contests, ranking behind Freddie Scott’s thirteen snatches vs. Wisconsin in 1995 on the school game-record list … His career-high 197 yards vs. Indiana in 2012 placed fourth on the school game-record chart, while his 173 yards receiving vs. Ohio State in 2013 rank eighth, and the following week, he totaled 165 yards vs. Illinois, the tenth-best total in school annals.

SEASON ANALYSIS

2013 SEASON

The 2012 and 2013 Big Ten Conference Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year, Robinson earned seven All-American honors after a stellar junior campaign. The standout flanker was selected a first-team All-American by CBSSports.com, Sporting News and Phil Steele’s College Football, a second-team honoree by the Football Writers Association, The NFL Draft Report, SI.com and Athlon Sports and a third-team choice by the Associated Press … The semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award, Robinson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media the past two seasons … In Penn State’s eight Big Ten games in 2013, Robinson made 71 catches (8.88 avg) for 984 yards (123.0 ypg), improving on his overall season averages … Finished setting school records with 97 receptions for 1,432 yards (13.98 ypc), adding six touchdowns … Rushed six times for 65 yards and had one solo tackle … Four of his scoring grabs were for distances of 51, 45, 46 and 65 yards … Robinson is the first player since at least 1985 to lead the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yardage in consecutive seasons … Ranked third nationally in receiving yardage (119.3 ypg) and ninth in receptions (8.1 avg) … His eight 100-yard receiving games this year were a Penn State season record and he made thirteen catches of 35 or more yards this season … Is the first Nittany Lion to ever register a pair of 60-plus reception seasons and became the third receiver in school history to deliver three straight 100-yard receiving games, joining Joe Jurevicius in 1996 (Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan) and Kenny Jackson in 1982 (at Boston College, North Carolina State and Notre Dame) … Is also the only Penn State receiver with multiple 10-catch, 100-yard receiving games in school history, accomplishing the feat four times in his career … .Notched nine catches for 143 yards and a 5-yard touchdown vs. Central Florida. He had a 44-yard catch in the first quarter that set the Lions up for their first touchdown vs. the Knights and a 46-yard reception in the third quarter that led to another Penn State touchdown … .Made seven catches for 129 yards and a 45-yard touchdown vs. Eastern Michigan. He had a diving 43-yard catch in the first quarter that set Penn State up for its first touchdown in the win over the Eagles … Pulled in seven balls for 133 yards and a 51-yard score vs. Syracuse and came up with twelve receptions for 173 yards that included 46- and 26-yard touchdowns vs. Indiana … Gained a career-high 173 yards with a 65-yard score on twelve catches vs. Ohio State, followed by eleven grabs for 165 yards vs. Illinois … Generated 98 yards on eight grabs vs. Purdue and had eight more receptions for 106 yards in the Nebraska clash … Closed out his career with another eight-catch performance that netted 122 yards vs. Wisconsin.

2012 SEASON

Robinson started all twelve games at flanker and was selected the Big Ten Richter-Howard Receiver-of-the-Year and first-team All-Big Ten Conference by the coaches, media, BTN.com and ESPN.com … The Biletnikoff Award candidate broke the Penn State season receptions record with 77 catches, good for 1,013 yardfs (13.16 ypc) and a career-high eleven touchdowns … His 1,013 yards marked just the third 1,000-yard receiving season in Penn State history as he joined Engram (twice) as the only 1,000-yard season receivers to wear the blue and white … Robinson also broke Freddie Scott’s school sophomore season record of 973 yards set in 1994 … Led the Big Ten in catches (77), receptions per game (6.4), receiving yards (1,013, 84.8 avg.) and touchdown catches (11) … His 66 points were second on the team … Second on the team with 1,013 all-purpose yards … Opened the season with a then-career-best nine-reception effort for 97 yards vs. Ohio University, smashing his total number of receptions (3 for 29 yards) from 2011 … Followed with a season-high ten catches for 89 yards at Virginia, including his first career touchdown grab on a diving 30-yard effort … Recorded his first career 100-yard game with five receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-7 win over Navy, including a pair of 45-yard grabs … Led all players with nine catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the thrilling 39-28 win over Northwestern. His eight-yard scoring catch in the third quarter and a diving six-yard grab in back of the end zone on fourth down helped erase an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit in the comeback win vs. the Wildcats … Made six catches with a touchdown in the 38-14 prime time win at Iowa, and he had five catches for 68 yards vs. Ohio State … His five catches at Purdue went for 58 yards, including a leaping 27-yard reception and run to set up a second-quarter score. In the clash at Nebraska, Robinson posted his 63rd reception to move into a tie for first on the school season receptions chart and made a game-high six catches for 97 yards … Delivered one of the top receiving efforts in school history with a career-high 197 yards on ten catches and three touchdowns in the 45-22 victory over Indiana. His yardage total versus the Hoosiers ranked fifth on the school’s game list and included a career-long 53-yard catch and run for a TD, Penn State’s longest play from scrimmage in 2012. He also made leaping 26 and 10-yard catches in the end zone vs. Indiana. Robinson closed the season with four catches in the dramatic 24-21 Senior Day overtime win over Wisconsin.

2011 SEASON

Robinson was among four true freshmen to see action, making three catches for 29 yards over twelve games … In his second career game, Robinson caught his first career pass, good for 12 yards vs. Alabama … Made one catch for eight yards in the road matchup at Temple and one grab for nine yards vs. Nebraska … Earned his first career start at Wisconsin in the battle for the Big Ten Leaders Division title … Was on the field for 93 plays during his true freshman season, including a high of 14 vs. Eastern Michigan.

INJURY REPORT

There are no injuries reported.

AGILITY TESTS

4.60 in the 40-yard dash … 1.60 10-yard dash … 2.66 20-yard dash … 4.10 20-yard shuttle … 11.36 60-yard shuttle … 7.00 three-cone drill … 39-inch vertical jump … 10-7” broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times … 32-inch arm length … 9 ½-inch hands … 76-inch wingspan.

HIGH SCHOOL

Robinson attended Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s Preparatory School, leading the team to the Michigan Division III state championship game … Playing for head coach George Porritt, he caught 44 passes for 720 yards and ten touchdowns as a senior … Also returned two punts for touchdowns and intercepted two passes … Was a teammate of Nittany Lion quarterback Rob Bolden at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Robinson also was captain of the basketball team.

PERSONAL

Robinson is enrolled in the College of Communications and is interested in a career as a sports broadcaster..Son of Tracie and Allen Robinson … Born Allen Bernard Robinson II on 8/24/93 in Detroit, Michigan … Resides in Southfield, Michigan.

PLAYER STATISTICS