Welcome to the NFL young beginner! After being important players in their universities, rookies must once again earn their places in the pros. Who are they and what hopes do they raise? Come and discover these new gems. Today, focus on Tavius Robinson from Baltimore.
Tavius Robinson
Born January 3, 1999 in Guelph, Canada
1m98 for 118 kilos
Edge, Baltimore Ravens
If I were a provenance: Canada
A dozen players from Canada play in the NFL. Some are even essential to their respective franchises. This is the case of Miami safety Jevon Holland, Carolina runner Chubba Hubbard and Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson (only 3 penalties and 4 sacks conceded in the regular season).
The neighbor to the north also provides the NFL with other important players like Josh Palmer (WR/Chargers), Benjamin St Juste (CB/Commanders) and Jesse Luketa (LB and essential on the Cardinals' special team).
The cliché wants to represent the Canadian as a lumberjack: a tall and strong man. Cliché or not, this country mainly sends this type of template to the NFL. Michael Hoecht (Edge/Rams), Nathan Shepherd (DT/Saints), David Onyemata (DT/Falcons), Brett Urban (DT/Ravens) and Neville Gallimore (DT/Cowboys).
The 2023 draft gave 5 additional Canadian players to the NFL. First of all, offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron chosen in the 2nd round by Atlanta (41.15 minutes on this live). Also, Sidy Sow (OG/Patriots) and Tavius Robinson (DE/Ravens) in the 4th round. As well as twin brothers Sydney Brown (S/Eagles) in the 3rd round and Chase Brown (RB/Bengals) in the 5th round.
If I were a journey: choosing your destiny
Tavius Robinson grew up west of Toronto (eastern Canada). His athleticism allowed him to shine in high school in football and other sports. Like his twice-championship-winning uncle (Grey Cup), Tavius Robinson is destined to play in the Canadian Football League.
He therefore chose to join his city's university to play with the Guelph Gryphons, while working to pay for his studies (in a bulky waste collection company). But a year later, the pandemic hits the country and Canadian universities announce that they will not play any matches in 2020.
Not wanting to lose a year, Tavius Robinson compiled his 8.5 sacks in 2019 on a video and decided to contact around twenty universities in the neighboring country. Recruited from the best university conference (SEC), Tavius Robinson is experiencing constant progression at Ole Miss: 18 tackles including 1 sack, 28 including 3.5 and 44 including 7 in 2023!
The road to his destiny then took another direction, which he explained to Sports Illustrated:
“I’ve been watching the CFL draft for years and telling myself that I want to be in it. But being able to play at Ole Miss and now in the NFL is crazy! »
On May 2, 2023, Tavius Robinson became the 66th draft pick in the CFL. But a few days before, on April 29, he was pick 124 in the NFL draft. Logically, he favored this path.
If Tavius Robinson was a quality: ideal physical attributes
Not only is Tavius Robinson tall but he also has an immense wingspan! Absolutely all NFL staff are sensitive to physical attributes, because they believe they are capable of technically improving a player with such dimensions. Especially, if the player is athletic!
At the 2023 NFL Combine, Tavius Robinson ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.66 seconds! An impressive time for a player of this size.
If I were a project: continuing the tradition in Baltimore
For years, the Ravens defense has been known for the quality of its pressure. The 2023 season is no different and Baltimore has produced 60 sacks in 17 games (1st NFL)!
To accompany their 2021 1st round pick Odafe Oweh, Baltimore brings in the experienced Jadeveon Clowney (9.5 sacks) and Kyle Van Noy (9 sacks) in 2023. But neither is a solution for the future.
The Ravens also relied on a talented player who suffered an injury in college: David Ojabo. It was tempting in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft, because the player had just produced 11 sacks with Michigan. But since then, David Ojabo has only played 5 games in two seasons!
Tavius Robinson was recruited to provide rotation (Edge 4) initially. And more, if its development goes well.
If Tavius Robinson was a fault: in technical apprenticeship
Tavius Robinson must add muscle mass to his body and above all must better anchor his feet and better position his hands when they contact the opponent, to win more duels. To progress technically, Tavius Robinson has the right mentality.
His atypical career taught him humility. He told Ravens Wire that he also has a taste for effort:
“I have so much to learn and I want to become the best player I can be. I love being coached, I'm a real sponge! »
If I were an NFL player: Gregory Rousseau (Buffalo)
Tavius Robinson is still far from the level of the Bills player. But after his studies at the University of Miami, Gregory Rousseau was also a bet on physical potential: the two players share the same size and the same immense wingspan.
Both players were described, before their respective drafts, as lacking technical refinement. If Gregory Rousseau seemed a prospect superior to Tavius Robinson, this is the model to follow for the Baltimore Canadian.
