After nine seasons in the National Football League and two Pro Bowl appearances, offensive tackle Brandon Albert has announced his retirement. News came today via Jacksonville Jaguars senior writer John Oesher as Albert was supposed to compete with former Alabama standout, Cam Robinson for the starting job at left tackle. The 6-foot-5, 314-pounder was traded to Jacksonville on March 9, after spending three years with the Miami Dolphins (2014-16).
With Albert gone, Robinson emerges as the starter at left tackle.
He turned in a smooth 40-time at the NFL Combine (5.15 seconds), while his size at 6’6″ and 320 pounds is ideal for both pass protection and opening lanes for running backs Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon. Hailing from Monroe, La., Robinson was a five-star lineman when he signed in the Crimson Tide’s 2014 recruiting class. Despite a few mental lapses during his senior year (false starts), he rarely allowed sacks – helping quarterbacks Blake Sims and Jacob Coker be 3,000-yard passers.
Behind Robinson, freshman Jalen Hurts won the Southeastern Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 on the heels of totaling 3,734 yards offensively and 36 touchdowns. He cleared the way for 28 100-yard rushing performances and 1,000-yard backs, including Derrick Henry – who won the 2015 Heisman Trophy.
Robinson was a catalyst behind three SEC championships and a College Football Playoff National Championship at Alabama, but now he will be immediately called upon to help Jacksonville’s offense grow to being an elite group. The 2016 Outland Trophy winner was selected in the second round (No. 34 overall) to the Jaguars in this year’s NFL Draft.
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.
