2007 NFL Draft: Gijon Robinson Confident In Talent

By Jeremy White, NFLHS.com

Gijon Robinson just wants a shot.

If only he can get a foot in the door of the NFL, he's confident his talent and hard work will do the rest. Such is the case of the Division II athlete, who has to be extra special and work extra hard to garner the attention of NFL coaches and scouts because the level of competition they play isn't as strong, fast or athletic as the competition their Division I cohorts face.

But Robinson isn't afraid of a challenge. He grew up in a military family - his father was a sergeant in the army -- which means he can handle demanding situations.

"My dad was tough if I messed up my grades, but otherwise he wasn't real hard on me," says Robinson. "But he taught me a lot about discipline and work ethic."

At Waynesville High School in Waynesville, Mo., Robinson was all-state in football and also played on the varsity basketball team. From there he moved on to Missouri Western State, a school not exactly known as a football power.

In fact, in 2006 Robinson helped the program make its first-ever Division II playoff appearance. As a senior, he caught 25 passes for 253 yards and one touchdown.

He's not known as a pass catcher, but as a blocker. That's why scouts are watching his progress. They don't envision him as a top-tier tight end, but feel like he could potentially make a contribution at the H-back position.

"When you dream about something and then get a chance, it's such a blessing," says the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Robinson. "But everybody dreams about it, I guess. I realized I could do this if I showed up and worked hard, but as time went on I tried not to think about it too much because I had to concentrate on the present, on being a starter and being the best I could be on my team."

When a scout from the Minnesota Vikings showed up at Missouri Western State's two-a-day practices last August to watch Robinson go through stepping and blocking routines, the NFL became more of a reality for the tight end. Then other scouts came.

"When the scouts started coming," he says, "that's when I really realized I had a shot at the NFL."

Regardless of whether you're a big-time college prospect or someone who's not destined to play football past the high school level, Robinson has some advice to which all prep tight ends should listen.

"Work on your hands and your blocking," he says. "Make the big plays when it's time, but be consistent. Be dependable. Be there everyday in games and in practices."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.