NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State by Jody Jamieson 5/3/2009
When Larry Fitzgerald senior showed up to Raymond James Stadium on the first day of February, he was given the unenviable (or enviable when you really think about it!) task of covering the Super Bowl his son Larry played in. The press box has a strict “no cheering” rule, so when Larry Fitzgerald went into the endzone not once, but twice, it must have been hard for his father to keep it together. Now we’ve got Terry Robiskie undertaking a similar task which in many ways must be much tougher. Rather than writing about his son, he’s been evaluating his son. Terry is the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons and he was in Mobile for the Senior Bowl and Indianapolis for the Combine to run the rule over the wide receivers available in this years draft, which includes his son Brian.
Brian Robiskie of Ohio State is a guy the Falcons will ultimately have to think about drafting, even though they’re fairly well set at the wide receiver position. Obviously it’s a fantastic position for Brian to be in some cases as he’s obviously had tips from a professional coach on how to play the position for a long time. On the other hand, for Terry it must be tough to balance being a father with being a scout. But some fatherly advice given from father to son rings true for all players in all sports. “Whenever you get to a point where you figure you’ve got it made, somebody else is still rolling. Somebody else is still going.” Whether Robiskie ends up in Atlanta or not, his father won’t be far behind pushing his son to keep working and be the best he can.
Of course from all reports, that won’t be a problem. Robiskie was regarded at Ohio State as a role model who worked hard to refine his art. He was expected to have an average Combine, but hard work and drive allowed him to over achieve and he set himself up as a Day 1 pick. Robiskie was one of the more impressive receivers in drills and really opened a lot of peoples eyes. He was a borderline Day 1 pick before the Combine but may have done enough to ensure he’s a second round pick. He had a fairly productive senior year despite uncertainty under centre with Todd Boeckman’s inconsistencies and Terrell Prior’s run first mentality, but his numbers did drop from his junior year, which likely hurt his stock. Despite that, Robiskie can be a solid NFL receiver who will probably go onto to have a good career and could be one of the more NFL ready receivers available this year.
What we like about Robiskie
Excellent body control and put himself in the best position to make a catch. Catches the ball at it’s highest point. Fairly refined route runner and can get separation. Good hands and looks comfortable going over the middle. Good football IQ and will work his tail off to be the best receiver he can be. Nice size and speed.
Question marks about Robiskie
Isn’t particularly shifty in the open field and isn’t a YAC threat. Doesn’t get off press coverage as quickly as a guy his size really should. Isn’t much of a blocker and will be a liability on outside run plays.
Highlight of his college career
Robiskie may not have had a 100 yard game during the regular season in his senior year, but in the Fiesta Bowl he went over 100 and played a huge part in Ohio State’s competitive game against the Texas Longhorns. Ohio State were really unlucky to lose 24-21 late on, but Robiskie had 5 catches for 112 yards.
Other snippets
Measured in at 6027 (an 1/8th of an inch below 6′ 3″) and weighed in at 209 lbs at the Combine. He ran a 4.51 40 yard dash at the Combine. Robiskie was part of the Ohio State 4x100m relay team that finished runner up in the Big Ten and qualified for the NCAA athletics tournament. I fancy him to end up in Tennessee in the second round. They never draft receivers in the first. He may be taken by Tampa Bay, Indianapolis or Carolina before he drops that far, but I’d doubt Tennessee passes him up if they get the chance in round 2.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Brian Robiskie of Ohio State is a guy the Falcons will ultimately have to think about drafting, even though they’re fairly well set at the wide receiver position. Obviously it’s a fantastic position for Brian to be in some cases as he’s obviously had tips from a professional coach on how to play the position for a long time. On the other hand, for Terry it must be tough to balance being a father with being a scout. But some fatherly advice given from father to son rings true for all players in all sports. “Whenever you get to a point where you figure you’ve got it made, somebody else is still rolling. Somebody else is still going.” Whether Robiskie ends up in Atlanta or not, his father won’t be far behind pushing his son to keep working and be the best he can.
