Kenny Robinson (American football)


Kenneth Robinson Jr. is an American football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He played college football at West Virginia, and previously played for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL.

High school career

Robinson grew up in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania and began his high school career at University Prep. His junior season was derailed by a leg injury. After the season, Robinson transferred to Imani Christian Academy. He was named PIAA all-state 1A first team, as a defensive back. Robinson committed to West Virginia after fielding offers from Virginia Tech, Iowa State, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

College career

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. Robinson had 123 tackles and 7 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for a defensive touchdown, in his two-year college career. He was named to the First Team All-Big 12 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 because his mother wanted him to remain in school. However, it became difficult because West Virginia refused to release his transcripts and tried to charge him $3000. Instead, he decided to join the XFL and has been called a "trailblazer".

Professional career

St. Louis BattleHawks

In October 2019, Robinson was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks via the 2020 XFL Draft. He was picked up in the 5th round of Phase 4: Defensive Backs. 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. He said he chose the XFL to help his mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer. In Week 3 of the season, he had an interception, and in Week 5 he was nominated for the XFL's Star of the Week with one interception and a sack. In the coronavirus-shortened XFL season, Robinson started all five games for the BattleHawks and had 21 tackles and two interceptions. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.

Carolina Panthers

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.