INDIANAPOLIS – One of the most athletic defensive players in the draft and a player firmly on the Texans’ radar delivered an extremely impressive performance at the NFL scouting combine.
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson delivered a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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At 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, his 1.54 10-yard split ranks atop the charts for a player 250 pounds or more and fourth among edge rushers that weigh that much since 2003. The best 40-yard dash for edge rushers was Dallas Turner of Alabama running a 4.46 at seven pounds less than Robinson
Robinson has met formally with the Texans at the combine. The defending AFC South champions have NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. at one defensive end spot, but defensive end Jonathan Greenard is one of the top free agents available and could leave the team depending on how negotiations continue to go.
Robinson recorded four sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for losses last season for the Nittany lions after missing three games iwth a concussion.
The Maryland transfer doesn’t consider himself a finished product.
“I’ve just been trying to work on my hands and build muscle memory,” Robinson said. “I feel like I was way more inconsistent last year in using my hands, just relying on my speed. So I’ve been working on that, being consistent with my hands and building muscle memory. I’d say a guy who can get off the ball, a guy with some speed, a guy that can bend crazy. I think that makes the best pass rusher, a guy that can bend and use his hands.”
Robinson comes from an extremely large family with nine siblings. He’s the third-youngest with a little sister and a littler brother.
“It’s crazy,” Robinson said. “All your older siblings are trying to bully you when you’re young. But it definitely shaped me into the man I am today.”
His nickname isn’t the only one he has. His family calls him ‘Plump.’ He was 14 pounds when he was born and his mom called him Pork Chop.
“The only time they call me by my first name is when I’m in trouble,” Robinson said of his parents. “Once I got older I started to slim down and I couldn’t have people calling me Pork Chop so I just kept the Chop. Because I was a big baby they gave me two nicknames.
One of Robinson’s top qualities is his ability to get low and maintain his speed off the edge.
“I’d definitely say my bend,” he said. “Being able to dip my shoulder and lead with my hands and still use my speed. So I’d say I’m best with that and that’s not normal to see. “
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com