One of the big questions about the new XFL was whether it would go after players who had yet to pass through the NFL Draft. One such player, the St. Louis Battlehawks’ Kenny Robinson, fits the criteria and he has an interesting back story.
Robinson, who just turned 21, attended college at West Virginia. The DB played two seasons for the Mountaineers.
Robinson was dismissed from West Virginia due to a code of conduct violation involving academic fraud and was not in school long enough to gain eligibility for the NFL’s Supplemental Draft. Most players in that position find themselves looking for a place to transfer to another college. Not Robinson.
He was picked by the Battlehawks, 39th overall, in the XFL Draft and decided to follow that route while waiting for the NFL Draft. A key factor in the decision was his mother being diagnosed with cancer.
“It was either go to school or help take care of my family and do what I love,” he told XFL.com. “The XFL is also paying for me to take classes still, so I can take classes and get my degree and take care of my family at the same time.”
Battlehawks coach Jonathan Hayes believes in his young safety.
“He’s athletic. He’s got great range. He’s got great ball skills. He’s a smart kid, understands the game, very instinctive. Those are the things that you dream for with a safety. He’ll come up and put you on the ground.”
“If we want to put it in perspective, tennis players can turn pro when they’re 15, when they’re ready to do it, and I understand the difference between sports,” Hayes told the website. “In basketball, you can do it at 19.
“If a guy is mature enough and, it’s a case-by-case basis, but if he can do it, he can do it. I would promote staying in school. It’s important and I’ve talked to my son about it, I want him to finish school, but you have a great opportunity so why not take it? The same with Kenny. He has a great opportunity.”
The scouting report on the 6-foot-2, 198-pound Robinson from Hayes is nothing less than stellar.
“I think he’s going to be fabulous,” Hayes said. “I really do. He’s athletic. He’s got great range. He’s got great ball skills. He’s a smart kid, understands the game, very instinctive. Those are the things that you dream for with a safety. He’ll come up and put you on the ground. He’s a very sure tackler.”
Robinson is eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft.