Wikipedia

Kenny Robinson (American football)

Kenneth Robinson Jr. (born January 8, 1999) is an American professional 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 the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Kenny Robinson
refer to caption
Robinson with the Birmingham Stallions in 2024
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
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:18
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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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

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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

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Defense & Fumbles Tack Def Fumb
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2017 West Virginia Big 12 FR S 11 32 14 46 2.0 0.0 3 170 56.7 2 3 0 0
*2018 West Virginia Big 12 SO S 12 52 25 77 2.0 0.0 4 58 14.5 0 4 1 1
Career West Virginia 84 39 123 4.0 0.0 7 228 32.6 2 7 1 1

Professional career

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St. Louis BattleHawks

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In October 2019, Robinson was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL via the 2020 XFL Draft. He was selected 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

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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.[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.[20]

In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, Robinson scored his first NFL touchdown on a special teams play; he recovered a punt blocked by teammate 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, and re-signed on October 5.[23]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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

Birmingham Stallions

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On November 30, 2023, Robinson signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL).[26] He re-signed with the team on August 23, 2024.[27]

References

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  1. ^ Bell, Nate (October 18, 2019). "Kenny Robinson Jr. Takes XFL Route to Reach NFL". Pittsburgh Sports Now. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. 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.
  27. ^ @UFL_PR (August 23, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
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