TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– He’s endured the NFL Draft process, delivered big time on Mother’s Day and has taken part in rookie minicamp, all in all, Cam Robinson is ready for the professional level.
Before the Jacksonville Jaguars took him in the second round, Robinson was a five-star offensive tackle from Monroe, La. He signed with the Crimson Tide in 2014, and would turn in an exceptional three-year career.
The 6-foot-6, 322-pounder cleared the way for 28 100-yard rushing games, including two 1,000-yard performances from Derrick Henry and Damien Harris.
Henry consistently ran behind Robinson in 2015, to the beat of 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries. While he won the Heisman Trophy that year, Robinson helped both Blake Sims and Jake Coker account for 3,000-yard passing seasons. Even with having a true freshman signal caller in Jalen Hurts, Robinson aided him to 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and 36 total scores – en route to him winning the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2016. Although Jacksonville knows what it has in the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner, a former Tide standout and another source both caught up with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine to discuss the unanimous All-American.
Josh Palet was close to being Alabama’s backup to Hurts in the latter portion of 2016.
If Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell left when their transfer waivers cleared, the walk-on quarterback would have seen action. Palet was in charge of scout team offense, but during practice last season, he also executed hand-offs to running backs with the first-team group.
“Even though he was not the center, everyone knew he was the leader on the offensive line,” Palet said on Robinson. “He brings a lot of experience to Jacksonville. We loved him here.”
Whether you are a diehard New England Patriots fan or disgusted with the ground Tom Brady walks on, the five-time Super Bowl champion lived by this statement: “I’m not going to let anyone do my job better than I can.” Robinson carried himself in the exact same manner.
Regardless of shoulder, knee and ankle issues, he started all 43 games at left tackle.
“Confidence was big for him,” Palet said. “Cam would always say that he was the best left tackle in college football. He brought his A-game in every practice and matchup. He can do it all.”
Having a strong mindset is one of many reasons as to why former Alabama players and some media pundits consider Robinson a steal to be selected in the second round. Prior to the draft, most big boards had the premiere offensive tackle pegged a middle to late first-round value.
“Robinson’s got the football aspect down,” a source said.
“The Jaguars are getting someone who is very disciplined and has a great work ethic. He takes pride in what he does and that is something Coach Saban really enforces on the team.”
Upon entering his fourth season as an NFL quarterback, Blake Bortles has been sacked a league-high 140 times – including being dropped to the ground 50-plus times in 2014 and 2015.
He’s faced quite a few dominant pass rushers in the Southeastern Conference, but rarely did Tide fans see Jalen Hurts nailed on Robinson’s side. Per a source, his best on-field trait aside from physicality is his speed.
His 40-time of 5.15 seconds at the NFL Combine was top-notch.
“He moves well laterally,” the source said. “It’s rare when you see big guys that have size and speed. Some have size, but cannot move. Some have really good feet, but no size. For him to have both, really makes him stand out. Plus, Robinson is just an overall good guy to be around.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
