Photo Credit: St. Louis Battlehawks/XFL
With the 152nd overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected safety Kenny Robinson from the XFL. Robinson is the first player to be drafted from the XFL.
Robinson began his career at West Virginia, where he played in 25 career games. In 2018, Robinson was a All-Big 12 honoree. After being ruled ineligible, Robinson moved to the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL.
In five XFL games, Robinson made an immediate impact. Along with 21 tackles, Robinson had two interceptions and raised his draft stock as an NFL prospect.
Scouting Report
Robinson took a risk going from West Virginia to the XFL, but the move paid off. Robinson’s strong ball skills and rangy play makes him an intriguing long-term developmental prospect at the next level. Robinson comes into the NFL with the most professional football experience, having played five games in the XFL.
Robinson, however, lacks control. He’s capable of freelancing and missing his assignments. In the NFL, Robinson will have to be more responsible and stay on script to stick on the field. If he does, the potential is there for Robinson to dominate the field. He’s a sleeper who can project as a big-time prospect at the NFL level.
Expert Analysis
XFL safety Kenny Robinson enters the NFL after starting 20 games at West Virginia and playing in the brief XFL season. It’s clear from studying his tape that Robinson is a true ballhawk on the backend that can serve as a single-high safety with range, ball skills and physicality. -Joe Marino, The Draft Network
Team Fit
Robinson is a free safety at the next level and will fit there nicely for Carolina. His production in the XFL is intriguing, especially considering the opposition he was playing against. Although the character concerns are there, the talent and the production is there. If he sticks to his assignments and plays the roles, he can quickly switch to a full-time NFL player.