Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 91 Days (Jacob Robinson

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle) 

#91

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kick-off is underway! There are now 91 days until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2017 season against the Ohio State Buckeyes. 91 days out is still quite a haul but we’ll make it! Today’s countdown focuses on another defensive lineman, returning veteran Jacob Robinson.

Jacob Robinson

 -Height: 6’4”

-Weight: 285 pounds

-Hometown: Westfield, IN (Westfield High School)

-Position: Defensive Line

The early portion of this countdown has focused mainly on players along the Indiana defensive line. We’ve looked at players needing to make an impact like Brandon Wilson, Allen Stallings and Derrian Meminger and a redshirt freshman hoping to shine in the middle in Jerome Johnson. Today’s countdown piece focuses on a player with extensive playing time and proven production: junior Jacob Robinson.

Robinson came to Indiana after a successful high school career at Westfield High School. As a Shamrock, he was named a member of the Class 6A All-State team as both a junior and a senior and he was a three-time all-county selection. A tremendous athlete, Robinson was a three-year letter winner in football, basketball and baseball. He appeared in all 13 games in his true freshman season of 2015, recording five tackles with one for a loss. As a sophomore in 2016, he appeared in 11 games and garnered seven starts. Robinson was a versatile piece for the Hoosier defense as he lined up at both tackle and defensive end for Mark Hagen’s line. He had 17 tackles (11 solo) with one sack and three tackles for loss. Robinson shined in the Foster Farms Bowl against Utah, tallying three tackles with one for a loss and he was named a member of the Academic All-Big Ten team.

Robinson’s role figures to be very similar in 2017 as it was to his role last season. He will continue to be used in a dual-role as a tackle and an end. While Robinson doesn’t excel at any one thing, his versatility is a real asset and it makes him a very useful player for an IU defensive line that figures to play at least ten different players in their rotation. Robinson will compete for a starting spot on the end and he could potentially start on the inside next to Nate Hoff, particularly if one of the young tackles don’t step up and seize the position. Regardless of his exact position status, there is little doubt that Jacob Robinson will continue to play valuable snaps as a flexible member of IU’s defensive line.

Please share any comments or thoughts in the comments section or in our message board. The countdown continues tomorrow so make sure to check Hoosier Huddle daily as we roll towards the 2017 season!