The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Robinson drafted 119th overall by the Washington Redskins
04.28.2012 | Football
April 28, 2012
Austin -- Texas LB Keenan Robinson was selected 119th overall by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Robinson is the third Texas linebacker to be chosen in the last three years joining DE/LB Sergio Kindle (2nd round, Baltimore Ravens) and LB Roddrick Muckelroy (4th round, Cincinnati Bengals) who were selected in the 2010 draft. Robinson also becomes the 12th Longhorn defensive player chosen in the last five drafts.
"He's a leader," head coach Mack Brown said of Robinson. "He's big. He's strong. He's fast. He can play all over the field and he was also one of our best special teams players.
"Keenan came in tall and thin and left about 240 pounds. So he has improved his strength, his flexibility and therefore his range in his ability to make the big hit more than any player that I can remember."
Robinson becomes the first Longhorn drafted by the Washington Redskins since Brian Orakpo was selected 13th overall in 2009. The Redskins have now selected 15 Longhorns in their history: LB Keenan Robinson (2012), DE Brian Orakpo (2009), OT Derrick Dockery (2003), LB Boone Powell (1992), WR Keith Cash (1991), WR Laron Brown (1987), RB Terry Orr (1985), WR Cotton Speyrer (1971), C Johnny Tatum (1956), DE Gilmer Spring (1954), G Vic Vasicek (1949), C Joel Williams (1948), T Hank Harris (1947), G Hal Fischer (1944) and RB Orban "Spec" Sanders (1942).
Dating back to 1986, Mack Brown has had a player selected in 27 straight NFL Drafts, and 27 of the 28 overall drafts as a head coach.
Of the 63 draft picks Brown has coached in the last 15 years, 51 have been chosen in the first four rounds.
Robinson played in 51 games, including 39 starts, at outside linebacker over his five-year career and was a two-time Butkus Award semifinalist in 2010 and 2011. For his career he posted 317 tackles (172 solo), 5.5 sacks, 25 TFL, 14 pressures, two INTs, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 14 PBU for his career.
In 2011, Robinson started all 13 games at linebacker and recorded 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one sack, one safety, 13 pressures, seven pass breakups and two caused fumbles on the season. He helped Texas lead the Big 12 and rank sixth in the nation in rushing defense (96.23 ypg), 11th in total defense (306.08) and 10th in pass efficiency defense (111.0). Robinson led the team with 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss while holding Cal to just seven rushing yards and 195 yards of total offense to earn Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP honors.
He was tabbed second-team All-Big 12 (coaches, San Antonio Express-News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) and was voted by the team as the winner of the Dr. Nasser Al-Rashid Strength & Conditioning Award, the Joseph W. Moore Tenacity Award for Defense Award and the Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player Award.
