The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Robison chosen 102nd overall by Minnesota Vikings in 2007 NFL Draft
04.29.2007 | Football
University of Texas DE Brian Robison was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 102nd pick overall and the third pick of the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft on Sunday.
"Really and truly, I've always kind of been a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, especially when they had John Randle and Chris Doleman and all of those guys, the "Purple People Eaters,'" Robison said. "I've watched them in the past when they had Jack Del Rio at linebacker, and I know they have a good tradition. I'm looking forward to getting up there."
Robison will reunite former teammate CB Cedric Griffin in Minnesota, who was drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2006 draft. He becomes the eighth Longhorn drafted by the Vikings.
"I feel great," Robison added. "I've heard it's beautiful up there and Cedric will be there, so he'll be able to tell me the ins and outs when I get there. I'm just ecstatic right now. I can't even put it into words. I'm just ready to get up to my team and get started."
With Tim Crowder drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round on Saturday, Texas has had two defensive ends drafted in the same draft for the first time since 1992 when Shane Dronett was selected in the second round by the Denver Broncos and Tommy Jeter was chosen in the third round by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Robison is the fifth Longhorn drafted this year. With six chosen it 2006, it gives Texas consecutive years with at least five picks for the first time since 1991 (8) and 1992 (7).
"Brian Robison we signed from a very small school north of Houston," said head coach Mack Brown. "He primarily got our first attention because he was one of the best in the discus and shot put in the country. Brian Davis, who was very involved in track in Iowa State, and DeLoss Dodds, who was a track coach, both said his numbers were off the charts.
"His explosive power, his jumping ability, his ability to get from here to there, all really got our attention. After we saw him for a year, we really thought he would be a great defensive end for us. He leads our team in blocked kicks, but he can also drop in coverage or rush the passer. He's got a lot of position flexibility as well."
Robison played in 49 career contests with 36 starts. A three-time honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree, he recorded 181 career tackles, 42 TFL, 50 pressures, 14 sacks, eight PBD, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an INT. Robison was also a special teams standout who holds UT's record for blocked place-kicks with six. He played in 12 games, starting nine, in 2006 and posted 37 tackles, nine TFL, 5.5 sacks, three PBD and a blocked FG despite missing the Sam Houston State game due to injury.
"Brian Robison, his athletic ability is something that just stood out with everybody," said co-defensive coordinator Duane Akina. "So he got thrown into the category of, 'What is he?' Can he play stand-up linebacker? Can he rush the passer? There's a little projection there with him, but once he tested, and you started going through his track background and see how explosive he is, I think his stock really went up. He's one, because he can run and jump so well, that has that position flexibility that NFL teams are looking for."
Robison is also an athletic two-sport standout who was an All-Big 12 and NCAA qualifying performer (discus and shot put) for the Longhorns track and field team. He won the Big 12 shot put title in 2005 and '06 and also won the conference title in the shot put in '06.
