Darius Robinson is a top EDGE prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft who had a fast rise up draft boards after a long college career.
Let’s take a look at Robinson’s football journey from high school to college, as well as some of the successes he’s had along the way.
Where Did Darius Robinson’s Football Career Start?
Robinson was born in Southfield, Mich., a suburb of Detroit.
He originally attended Canton Preparatory High School in Michigan where he played basketball before transferring to Canton High School ahead of his junior year to play football. Robinson played defensive line, tight end, and outside linebacker in high school.
Revisiting Robinson’s College Career
After high school, Robinson committed to playing football at the University of Missouri.
As a freshman in 2019, Robinson played in five games and recorded one tackle. His role increased as a sophomore in 2020, playing in seven games with two starts, recording 11 tackles and one sack.
MORE: Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft
As a junior in 2021, Robinson started six of 10 games and tallied 21 total tackles. During his senior year, Robinson played in all 13 games with 10 starts, recording 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks along the way.
Before declaring for the NFL Draft, Robinson returned to Missouri as a fifth-year senior, where he switched from defensive tackle to defensive end. He had 43 total tackles and 8.5 sacks in his final season.
Darius Robinson emerged as a game-wrecker in his final season for @MizzouFootball — racking up 8.5 sacks and 14 TFL. 💪#NFLDraft | #MIZ🐯pic.twitter.com/3uPILWtw6m https://t.co/3YJvowauel
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 11, 2024
After battling injuries, Robinson finished a long, five-year college career at Missouri and declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He finished his career with 112 total tackles and 13 sacks.
Robinson’s Potential in the NFL
Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft analyst Ian Cummings says Robinson’s massive 6’5″, 291-pound frame makes him “a lab-built power generator.”
Cummings has Robinson graded as a top-50 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Because of his alignment versatility and experience playing multiple positions on the defensive line in college, he truly could be a wild card for NFL teams.
“He leverages his explosiveness and length into displacement energy incredibly well by loading his base,” Cummings wrote. “Additionally, he’s an albatross in close pursuit, a stack-and-shed extraordinaire in run defense, and he flashes exciting bend, stunting agility, and hand-fighting nuance as a pass rusher.
“There’s still work to do for Robinson if he’s to reach his ultimate ceiling. While the highs are very high in the pass-rushing department, his overall synergy and counter quickness can be more consistent. Additionally, his footwork can dilute attack opportunities at times, and he occasionally drifts too high with his pads.”
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Darius Robinson
Cummings continues to explain that right out of the gate, Robinson has a high ceiling as an NFL prospect because of his versatility across a defensive line.
With more pass-rush development, Robinson can eventually turn into an NFL starter.
Highlights, Records, and More
After exploding onto the scene with his best season as a fifth-year senior, Robinson earned first-team All-SEC recognition in 2023. He was also a two-year captain for Missouri.
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