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Longhorn faces uncertain draft
By JIMMY BURCH
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Texas standout Brian Robison said his NFL future will either be at linebacker or defensive end.
As a two-sport athlete in college, Brian Robison thought skills honed in track and field would make him a more versatile NFL prospect.
Heading into this week's draft, however, the Texas defensive end is discovering he might be too versatile for his own good. Robison, who played linebacker in 2003 before moving to end for his final three seasons, looms as a prospect without a clear-cut position at the next level.
"It really depends on the defense," Robison said of where he expects to play in 2007. "Mainly, 3-4 teams are looking at me as a linebacker. Most of the 4-3 teams are looking at me as a defensive end."
That leaves his draft status clouded and Robison (6-foot-3, 259 pounds) splitting his focus as he prepares for workouts with teams that might select him when the two-day draft begins Saturday. Projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick by NFL scouts, Robison said he isn't concerned which position he plays.
"I will be prepared for either one," said Robison, adding that time spent throwing the shot put and discus for the Longhorns' track team helped him develop the unique traits that have NFL teams projecting him as a potential contributor at multiple positions.
While uncertainty surrounds Robison's NFL future, two truths have emerged about this crop of Big 12 prospects:
Texas should have the most players selected, with eight or nine.
Among the first-rounders, only Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson projects as a top-10 selection.
The rest of the Big 12 players expected to be taken in Saturday's first round -- Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker, Texas cornerback Aaron Ross and Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock -- are projected to go toward the middle or end of the round. Texas safety Michael Griffin could give the Longhorns a third selection in the opening round, but the brunt of Big 12 prospects are expected to be taken on the second day, in rounds four through seven.
That group includes Robison, a two-time Big 12 champion in the shot put who also won the league's 2006 outdoor title in the discus. His track background, said Robison, "helps a lot on the football field, especially with speed and explosiveness." As evidence, he cited six career kick blocks, which has caught the attention of NFL scouts interested in beefing up their special teams.
Some NFL scouts have expressed concern about Robison's coverage abilities and change-of-direction speed if he returns to linebacker. Others say he'll need to add at least 10 pounds to be an effective NFL defensive end. Robison said he's heard both nitpicks and believes he is undervalued by scouts.
"I think so," Robison said. "With us having so many great players at Texas, I think I may have been overshadowed. I also think the system at Texas may not have allowed my whole game to be seen. I do feel underrated because of those things, but I hope to be able to show people how good I am on the next level."
IN THE KNOW
Big 12 prospects
A look at where high-profile players from Big 12 schools are projected by NFL scouts to be drafted:
FIRST ROUND
Adrian Peterson, Okla., RB
Adam Carriker, Nebraska, DE
Aaron Ross, Texas, CB
Justin Blalock, Texas, OL
FIRST DAY (TOP 3 ROUNDS)
Michael Griffin, Texas, SS
Tim Crowder, Texas, DE
Manuel Ramirez, Tex. Tech, OG
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska, LB
TWEENERS (LATE FIRST DAY, EARLY SECOND DAY)
Mason Crosby, Colorado, K
Tarell Brown, Texas, CB
Rufus Alexander, Okla., LB
SECOND DAY (ROUNDS 4-7)
Brandon Jackson, Neb., RB
Jay Moore, Nebraska, DE
Yamon Figurs, Kansas St., WR
Ryan McBean, Okla. St., DT (Euless Trinity)
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, P
Brian Robison, Texas, DE
Anthony Arline, Baylor, CB
Scott Stephenson, Iowa St., C
Corey Hilliard, Okla. St., OT
Zach Latimer, Oklahoma, LB
Gabe Hall, Texas Tech, OT
DeAndre Jackson, Iowa St., CB
Xzavie Jackson, Missouri, DE
Joel Filani, Texas Tech, WR
C.J. Ah You, Oklahoma, DE
Kasey Studdard, Texas, OG
C.J. Wilson, Baylor, CB
Melvin Bullitt, Texas A&M, SS
Brad Ekwerekwu, Missouri, WR (Arlington)
Selvin Young, Texas, RB
Mark Fenton, Colorado, C
Quintin Echols, Kansas St., DT (Fort Worth Wyatt)
BUBBLE RIDERS (LATE ROUNDS OR FREE AGENTS)
Zac Taylor, Nebraska, QB
Lyle Sendlein, Texas, C
Victor DeGrate, Okla. St., DE
Ola Dagunduro, Nebraska, DT
David Overstreet, Missouri, SS
D'Juan Woods, Okla. St., WR
Larry Birdine, Oklahoma, DE
Justin Warren, Texas A&M, LB
NOTE: Remaining Big 12 prospects project as free-agent signees.
Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760 jburch@star-telegram.com
By JIMMY BURCH
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Texas standout Brian Robison said his NFL future will either be at linebacker or defensive end.
As a two-sport athlete in college, Brian Robison thought skills honed in track and field would make him a more versatile NFL prospect.
Heading into this week's draft, however, the Texas defensive end is discovering he might be too versatile for his own good. Robison, who played linebacker in 2003 before moving to end for his final three seasons, looms as a prospect without a clear-cut position at the next level.
"It really depends on the defense," Robison said of where he expects to play in 2007. "Mainly, 3-4 teams are looking at me as a linebacker. Most of the 4-3 teams are looking at me as a defensive end."
That leaves his draft status clouded and Robison (6-foot-3, 259 pounds) splitting his focus as he prepares for workouts with teams that might select him when the two-day draft begins Saturday. Projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick by NFL scouts, Robison said he isn't concerned which position he plays.
"I will be prepared for either one," said Robison, adding that time spent throwing the shot put and discus for the Longhorns' track team helped him develop the unique traits that have NFL teams projecting him as a potential contributor at multiple positions.
While uncertainty surrounds Robison's NFL future, two truths have emerged about this crop of Big 12 prospects:
Texas should have the most players selected, with eight or nine.
Among the first-rounders, only Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson projects as a top-10 selection.
The rest of the Big 12 players expected to be taken in Saturday's first round -- Nebraska defensive end Adam Carriker, Texas cornerback Aaron Ross and Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock -- are projected to go toward the middle or end of the round. Texas safety Michael Griffin could give the Longhorns a third selection in the opening round, but the brunt of Big 12 prospects are expected to be taken on the second day, in rounds four through seven.
That group includes Robison, a two-time Big 12 champion in the shot put who also won the league's 2006 outdoor title in the discus. His track background, said Robison, "helps a lot on the football field, especially with speed and explosiveness." As evidence, he cited six career kick blocks, which has caught the attention of NFL scouts interested in beefing up their special teams.
Some NFL scouts have expressed concern about Robison's coverage abilities and change-of-direction speed if he returns to linebacker. Others say he'll need to add at least 10 pounds to be an effective NFL defensive end. Robison said he's heard both nitpicks and believes he is undervalued by scouts.
"I think so," Robison said. "With us having so many great players at Texas, I think I may have been overshadowed. I also think the system at Texas may not have allowed my whole game to be seen. I do feel underrated because of those things, but I hope to be able to show people how good I am on the next level."
IN THE KNOW
Big 12 prospects
A look at where high-profile players from Big 12 schools are projected by NFL scouts to be drafted:
FIRST ROUND
Adrian Peterson, Okla., RB
Adam Carriker, Nebraska, DE
Aaron Ross, Texas, CB
Justin Blalock, Texas, OL
FIRST DAY (TOP 3 ROUNDS)
Michael Griffin, Texas, SS
Tim Crowder, Texas, DE
Manuel Ramirez, Tex. Tech, OG
Stewart Bradley, Nebraska, LB
TWEENERS (LATE FIRST DAY, EARLY SECOND DAY)
Mason Crosby, Colorado, K
Tarell Brown, Texas, CB
Rufus Alexander, Okla., LB
SECOND DAY (ROUNDS 4-7)
Brandon Jackson, Neb., RB
Jay Moore, Nebraska, DE
Yamon Figurs, Kansas St., WR
Ryan McBean, Okla. St., DT (Euless Trinity)
Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor, P
Brian Robison, Texas, DE
Anthony Arline, Baylor, CB
Scott Stephenson, Iowa St., C
Corey Hilliard, Okla. St., OT
Zach Latimer, Oklahoma, LB
Gabe Hall, Texas Tech, OT
DeAndre Jackson, Iowa St., CB
Xzavie Jackson, Missouri, DE
Joel Filani, Texas Tech, WR
C.J. Ah You, Oklahoma, DE
Kasey Studdard, Texas, OG
C.J. Wilson, Baylor, CB
Melvin Bullitt, Texas A&M, SS
Brad Ekwerekwu, Missouri, WR (Arlington)
Selvin Young, Texas, RB
Mark Fenton, Colorado, C
Quintin Echols, Kansas St., DT (Fort Worth Wyatt)
BUBBLE RIDERS (LATE ROUNDS OR FREE AGENTS)
Zac Taylor, Nebraska, QB
Lyle Sendlein, Texas, C
Victor DeGrate, Okla. St., DE
Ola Dagunduro, Nebraska, DT
David Overstreet, Missouri, SS
D'Juan Woods, Okla. St., WR
Larry Birdine, Oklahoma, DE
Justin Warren, Texas A&M, LB
NOTE: Remaining Big 12 prospects project as free-agent signees.
Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760 jburch@star-telegram.com
