Denard Robinson, the all-time leading rusher for a quarterback in
college football history, insists he doesn’t care what position the
Jacksonville Jaguars want him to play.
“Whatever it
takes finding a niche there … whatever it takes to get on the field,”
Robinson said after the Jaguars selected him Saturday with the second
pick of the fifth round, No. 135 overall, in the NFL
Draft.
The Jags designated him as a running back, but
Robinson also could be a receiver, a return specialist, or a wildcat
quarterback. Some teams even projected him as a
cornerback.
Bottom line: He’s an athlete who has to
create a niche for himself in the NFL.
“Now it’s time
for me to go to work,” said Robinson, who is returning to his home
state after growing up in Deerfield Beach.
Nicknamed
“Shoelace” because he doesn’t like to tie his shoes, Robinson
(5-foot-10, 199 pounds) rushed for 4,495 yards during his college
career. Much of it was spent as a quarterback, but he played a versatile
offensive role late in his senior year after suffering nerve damage to
his right (throwing) elbow.
“I’m surprised he didn’t
go earlier,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock
said.
Mayock said that Robinson is “as tough as
anybody I’ve seen” and expects him to play a big role on special teams,
including as a “gunner” on punts.
Robinson was the
first Michigan player selected in this year’s draft. It is the first
time since 1968 that the Wolverines didn’t have a player taken in the
first four rounds.
EXTRA
POINTS
Two Michigan State players were
drafted Saturday, with tight end Dion Sims going to Miami in the fourth
round (No. 106 overall) and defensive end William Gholston to Tampa Bay
in the fourth round (No. 126). Cornerback Johnny Adams was not
drafted.
— Robinson’s Michigan teammate, offensive
guard Will Campbell, was taken in the sixth round by the New York Jets
(No. 178).
— Grand Valley State receiver Charles
Johnson went to Green Bay in the seventh round with pick No.
216.
— The Cincinnati Bengals took Ohio State
offensive tackle Reid Fragel, who is from Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South
High, in the seventh round (No. 240).
