ESPN: Canton grad Darius Robinson will be Lions’ 1st-round pick
Darius Robinson graduated from Canton High School in 2019 after playing just two seasons of football.
Aidan Hutchinson won’t be the only home-grown Detroit Lions defensive end once the 2024 NFL season kicks off, an ESPN NFL Draft expert believes.
In his NFL Mock Draft dated Feb. 14, NFL Insider Field Yates predicts the Lions will draft 2019 Canton High School graduate Darius Robinson with the 29th pick of April’s draft, which, fittingly, will be held in Detroit, Robinson’s hometown.
Robinson capped an incredible career at the University of Missouri on Dec. 29, 2023, when he helped lead the University of Missouri to a 14-3 upset of Ohio State.
Following a stellar senior season during which he recorded 8.5 sacks from his defensive end/edge rusher position, Robinson reportedly earned rave reviews from NFL scouts during last month’s Senior Bowl practices.
Stock rising
Robinson’s NFL Draft stock has ascended dramatically since as late as November, when he was being mentioned as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
Here’s the widely-respected Yates’ take on the former Chief: “Here’s one of my favorite player-team fits, as Robinson feels like the kind of brute-force player that the Lions crave on their roster. After 8.5 sacks in 2023, he would give Detroit a big boost on the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson and could feast on favorable matchups while teams allocate resources to Hutchinson on every snap.
“Moreover, he’s a converted defensive tackle who can kick down inside and wreak havoc when lined up over guards or centers.
Robinson has also thrived off the field — academically and in the community.
Giving back
In November, Robinson was named to the Southeastern Conference Football Community Service Team, which was created to highlight an athlete from each SEC school who gives back to his community through superior service efforts.
Robinson recently started the Darius Robinson Helping Hands Foundation – a non-profit focused on providing assistance in the local community from youth to seniors who have a need.
He wore “Mizzou” on his jersey nameplate on senior night as a thank you to the University and local community.
Robinson, was one of the top players on the team in terms of time spent in the community, according to the University of Missouri football website.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
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