Former Alabama lineman Cam Robinson out to prove his maturity to NFL teams
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Former Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson has spent the last three seasons proving what he can do on the football field. Now, participating at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive lineman is trying to show NFL scouts he’s improved off the field as well.
“The interviews have been going well. Obviously, we addressed the elephant in the room, which is the incident I got into last summer,” Robinson told reporters in Indianapolis. “I explained it to them. I told them exactly what happened. I was 100 percent truthful with them, and we moved on and we talked ball.”
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Robinson made headlines this summer when he and then-teammate Laurence “Hootie” Jones were arrested in May on weapons and drug charges. The arrest occurred after police officers approached their parked car at a closed park in their hometown of Monroe, La.
From there, officers found a bag of marijuana as well as two hand guns, including one that was later found to be stolen under Robinson’s seat. Robinson was then charged with misdemeanor possession as well as felony illegal possession of stolen firearms. Both charges were dropped after the Monroe, La. district attorney decided not to pursue prosecution.
Robinson and Jones served internal punishments before the season and were not suspended. Robinson then went on to start every game at left tackle last season, earning All-American honors while taking home the Outland Trophy and SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy.
The junior also demonstrated improved leadership in the locker room, stepping into a leadership role among the team. Robinson was selected by his teammates as one of the Crimson Tide’s four permanent captains last season. Talking with NFL scouts Thursday, he did his best to demonstrate that growth.
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“First and foremost, I told them I didn’t want to let the incident define me as a person,” Robinson said. “It’s not who I am as a man. I respect myself and my family and the university at the time and all my teammates. I respect them way more than to ever let anything like that happen again. I put that past me and definitely learned from it.”
Robinson is projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft on April 27. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has him projected to go No. 25 to the Houston Texans in his latest mock draft.
Perhaps the easiest question Robinson fielded Thursday was whether or not he warranted a high pick in this year’s draft.
“Definitely, next question,” Robinson said.
Robinson started all 44 games at left tackle over his three-year college career at Alabama. However, while he’s viewed as one of the top tackles in this year’s draft, there is some discussion on whether or not he will stay at the position in the NFL, as some draft analysts have Robinson switching over to the right side in the NFL.
Robinson told reporters he played a right tackle a little bit in high school and that he believes he could make the switch relatively easily if asked to do so.
“I’m open to whatever teams need,” Robinson said. “I mean, if a team needs me to play right tackle or guard or center, it’s whatever. I feel like that doesn’t do anything but add value, ultimately. If you can play more than one position, I feel like that adds value to you as a player.”
Robinson said he watches a few NFL offensive linemen but does not model his game on anyone in particular. Wherever he plays at the next level, he said he’s focused on being himself and representing himself at the high level — both on and off the field.
