Denard Robinson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Denard Robinson

Robinson with Michigan in 2012
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(1990-09-22) September 22, 1990 (age 34) Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:	Deerfield Beach
College:	Michigan (2009–2012)
NFL Draft:	2013 / Round: 5 / Pick: 135
Career history
As player:
Jacksonville Jaguars (2013–2016) Atlanta Legends (2019)
As coach:
Jacksonville University (2019) Offensive analyst Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) Offensive quality control coach
As executive:
Jacksonville Jaguars (2021) Scouting assistant Michigan (2022–2024) Assistant director of player personnel
Career highlights and awards
CFP National Champion (2023) First-team All-American (2010) Big Ten Most Valuable Player (2010) Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2010) First-team All-Big Ten (2010) Second-team All-Big Ten (2011) Gator Bowl MVP (2011)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 1,058 Rushing average: 4.0 Receptions: 47 Receiving yards: 310 Return yards: 155 Total touchdowns: 5
Player stats at PFR

Denard Xavier Robinson (born September 22, 1990) is a former American football player. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. Before that, he was a college football All-American quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines. The Jacksonville Jaguars picked Robinson in the 2013 NFL draft.

In 2010, during his second year of college, Robinson set a record for rushing yards by a quarterback. He became the only player in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history to both pass and rush for 1,500 yards in a season. He also broke a Big Ten Conference record with 4,272 total yards. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference.

In 2011, Robinson helped Michigan have a great season, winning 11 games and the 2012 Sugar Bowl. He threw for a lot of yards in a comeback win against Notre Dame. By the end of 2011, he held many of Michigan's top records for total offense in a single game.

In 2012, his final year, he continued to set records. He also competed as a sprinter for the Michigan track team during his first two years of college. He was very fast, running the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds.

Early Life and Nickname

Denard Robinson was born in 1990. His parents are Thomas Robinson Sr. and Dorothea Robinson.

Nickname "Shoelace"

Robinson started playing football when he was 10 years old. He always played with his shoes untied. This earned him the nickname "Shoelace." People who watched him play noticed this habit.

His coaches and parents tried to get him to tie his shoes. They even used wristbands or tape to keep them on. But Denard was comfortable playing that way. His high school coach, Art Taylor, allowed it because Denard was so talented.

At the University of Michigan, his college coaches also let him play with untied shoes. They were amazed by how fast he was. Michigan's quarterbacks coach, Rod Smith, said he wouldn't tell someone that fast how to tie their shoes. Robinson wore special shoes with Velcro straps to keep them secure.

High School Football

As a freshman, Robinson tried out for the varsity football team at Deerfield Beach High School in Florida. He wanted to play defensive back. His coach, Manny Martin, said Denard always believed he could do it. However, Denard played quarterback for the junior-varsity team instead.

Robinson became the starting quarterback for the varsity team as a sophomore. He held this position for three years, from 2006 to 2008. His coach knew he was special from the start.

In 2007, Denard led his team in a close game against Miami Northwestern. This was the top-ranked high school team in the country. Deerfield Beach almost won, but Miami Northwestern scored a touchdown in the final seconds.

In October 2008, Robinson had an amazing game against St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He was involved in six touchdowns. He passed for 342 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown. During his high school career, Robinson gained almost 6,000 total yards.

Robinson also ran track for Deerfield Beach. In 2009, he ran the 100 meters sprint in 10.44 seconds. He was part of the state champion 4 × 100 metres relay team in 2008.

College Football Career

Robinson started at the University of Michigan in 2009. He competed for the starting quarterback spot. He played in all 12 games as a freshman.

2009 Season Highlights

On September 5, 2009, Robinson scored a touchdown on his very first play in college. He ran 43 yards for the score. Two weeks later, he scored two more rushing touchdowns.

In a game against Iowa, Robinson came into the game when Michigan was behind. He led a scoring drive that ended with his own touchdown run. He also threw his first two college touchdown passes against Delaware State. He even started one game as a running back.

For the 2009 season, Robinson passed for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 351 yards and five touchdowns.

2010 Track Season

Robinson also joined the Michigan track team in 2010. He wanted to run track and play football. His track coach, Fred LaPlante, said Robinson was one of the fastest sprinters in the Big Ten.

Robinson won the 60-meter dash in his first college track event. He finished fifth in another race and ninth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships. His coach was careful not to let him get hurt during track practice.

Personal Best Times

2010 Football Season

Robinson worked hard to become the starting quarterback for the 2010 season. He spent a lot of time training and watching game films.

Record-Breaking Start

Robinson started Michigan's first game against Connecticut. He rushed for 131 yards in the first half. He finished the game with 383 total yards, setting a new Michigan record. He earned several awards for this performance.

In his second game, Robinson led Michigan to a 28–24 win over Notre Dame. He gained 502 total yards, breaking his own record. He had an 87-yard touchdown run, which was the longest run by a visiting player at Notre Dame Stadium. He also scored the winning touchdown with only 27 seconds left.

Robinson became the ninth quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for over 200 yards in a single game. His rushing total was the best ever for a Michigan player in an away game.

More Big Games

Against Indiana, Robinson had 494 total yards. He passed for 277 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 217 yards. He scored a 72-yard touchdown run early in the game. He led a game-winning drive in the final minute, scoring a touchdown with 17 seconds left.

Robinson became the first player in college football history to have two games with over 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. He continued to lead the nation in rushing yards.

Mid-Season Challenges

After a great start, Michigan lost three games in a row. Robinson threw three interceptions against Michigan State. He was limited in rushing yards. He also suffered a shoulder injury against Iowa.

Despite a loss to Penn State, Robinson played well. He rushed for 191 yards and passed for 190 yards. This performance broke the Big Ten record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

Illinois Game

In a high-scoring game against Illinois, Robinson passed for a career-high 302 yards. He also ran for 62 yards. He threw a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play. Michigan won the game 67–65. Robinson left the game early with concussion-like symptoms.

End of the Season

Michigan lost its last two regular season games to Wisconsin and Ohio State. Robinson set a record by becoming the first NCAA player with 1,500 rushing yards and 2,000 passing yards in the same season.

Michigan finished the 2010 season with a loss to Mississippi State in the 2011 Gator Bowl. Robinson broke Drew Brees' Big Ten record for total offense in a single season.

2010 Season Awards

Robinson finished the 2010 season with 1,702 rushing yards. This was a record for a quarterback until 2012. He also passed for 2,570 yards. He had 4,272 total yards of offense.

He received the Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten Conference. He was also named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He was selected as a first-team All-American. He finished sixth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy.

2011 Football Season

Robinson at Michigan Stadium

After his coach left, there was talk that Robinson might transfer. But he decided to stay at Michigan. He said Michigan was his family and his home.

Adapting to a New Offense

For the 2011 season, Robinson was on watchlists for many awards. The media wondered how he would do with a new offensive coach. The new coach, Al Borges, was known for a different style of play. Robinson said he would still run the ball if no one was open.

Regular Season Games

In Michigan's first game, Robinson played well before the game ended early due to bad weather.

In the next game against Notre Dame, Robinson had a fantastic performance. He passed for 338 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown. He threw the game-winning touchdown pass with only two seconds left. He earned several player of the week awards for this game.

Against Eastern Michigan, Robinson rushed for 198 yards. This put him among the top quarterbacks in conference history for single-game rushing.

He continued to play well, gaining 200 rushing yards against San Diego State. This moved him to second place in Big Ten history for career rushing yards by a quarterback.

Against Northwestern, Robinson had 454 total yards. He scored two rushing and two passing touchdowns.

Michigan lost to Michigan State. Robinson was limited in that game and suffered an injury.

In a victory over Nebraska, Robinson had two rushing and two passing touchdowns. He earned more player of the week honors.

Against Ohio State, Robinson had a five-touchdown game. He became the fourth player in NCAA history to have two seasons with over 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time that season.

Robinson was named second-team All-Conference by the media. He was also voted team MVP for the second year in a row.

2012 Football Season

Robinson passing to converted quarterback Devin Gardner.

In 2012, Robinson was chosen as a team captain.

After a tough loss to Alabama, Robinson played great against Air Force. He had 426 total yards, with 208 passing and 218 rushing yards. He scored two rushing and two passing touchdowns. He became the first NCAA athlete to rush and pass for 200 yards in three different games. He earned more player of the week awards.

Against UMass, Robinson had 397 total yards in three quarters. He passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He passed Tom Brady on Michigan's all-time passing yardage list.

In a game against Notre Dame, Robinson had a difficult game with five turnovers.

On October 7, Robinson rushed for 235 yards against Purdue. This made him the Big Ten career leader in rushing yards by a quarterback. He also tied a Michigan school record with his fifth career 200-yard rushing game. He earned his ninth Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week award.

Robinson suffered an elbow injury later in the season. He returned for the last home game, playing as a running back and wide receiver. He did not throw the ball due to his injury.

In his final regular season game against Ohio State, Robinson rushed for 122 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run. He was an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team. In his final game at Michigan, the Outback Bowl, he broke the FBS record for career rushing yards by a quarterback.

College Statistics

Michigan's All-Time Total Offense Leaders

Single Game Records

Denard Robinson holds seven of the top ten single-game total offense performances in Michigan history.

Single Season Records

Robinson holds the Michigan single-season record for total yards with 4,272, set in 2010.

Big Ten Quarterback Rushing Records

College Honors and Awards

Robinson earned many honors during his college career:

• He was the only player in NCAA history to have a season with 1,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards.
• He holds the record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback in NCAA history.
• He set records for 200-yard passing and 200-yard rushing games in Division I FBS.
• He holds Big Ten records for rushing yards by a quarterback (single-game, single-season, and career).
• He set the Big Ten single-season record for total offense.
• He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the Big Ten MVP in 2010.
• He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2010.
• He was a first-team All-American in 2010.
• He was a first-team All-Big Ten player in 2010 and second-team in 2011.
• He led the Big Ten in rushing and total offense in 2010.

NCAA Football 14 Cover

After his successful college career, Denard Robinson was chosen to be on the cover of the video game NCAA Football 14. He was the first Michigan quarterback and third Wolverine player overall to be on the cover. The voting for the cover athlete took place on social media and received over six million votes.

Professional Football Career

After college, Robinson was open to playing any position in the National Football League. Many thought his speed would make him a good running back, receiver, or kick returner.

He played in the 2013 Senior Bowl as a wide receiver. Scouts thought he should focus on being a running back first.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Robinson in the 5th round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was picked as a running back. The team called his position an "offensive weapon." This meant he could play running back, wide receiver, and kickoff returner. He also played quarterback in special plays.

2013 Season

As a rookie in 2013, Robinson played in all 16 games. He rushed for 66 yards on 20 carries. He did not have any receptions that season.

2014 Season

In 2014, Robinson had his first NFL reception. He made his first NFL start against the San Diego Chargers. On October 19, he started at running back and rushed for a career-high 127 yards. This helped the Jaguars end a nine-game losing streak. It was the team's first 100-yard rushing game of the season. He also scored his first NFL touchdown.

The next week, he rushed for 108 yards. This made him the first Jaguar since 2011 to have two 100-yard rushing games in a row. He finished 2014 with 582 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. He suffered a foot injury in December and missed the rest of the season.

2015 Season

In 2015, Robinson had a knee injury in September. This caused him to miss three games. In December, he rushed for 75 yards and scored his only touchdown of the season.

2016 Season

In 2016, Robinson played in 12 games. He rushed for 127 yards.

Atlanta Legends

In 2018, Robinson signed with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football. He played in 7 games as a backup running back. He had 66 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus 37 receiving yards. The league stopped operations in April 2019.

NFL Career Statistics

Coaching and Staff Career

Jacksonville University

In July 2019, Jacksonville University hired Robinson as an offensive analyst. He also helped with special teams. The university stopped its football program in December 2019.

Jacksonville Jaguars

In June 2020, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Robinson as an offensive quality control coach. Later, he moved to the front office as a college scouting assistant.

University of Michigan

In February 2022, the University of Michigan hired Robinson. He became the assistant director of player personnel for the Michigan Wolverines football team. This marked his return to his old college team.

Images for kids

• 

  Robinson takes the snap for the 2010 Michigan Wolverines.

• 

  The 2010 Michigan Wolverines offense.

• 

  Robinson at a 2011 press conference.

See also

In Spanish: Denard Robinson para niños