When Askew-Henry was playing corner at West Virginia, a sophomore Free Safety playing next to him was voted 1st team All Big 10- Kenny Robinson.
But what happened to Kenny Robinson and his career at West Virginia?
In his junior season, Robinson convinced his girlfriend at WV to take an online course for him. She submitted the final exam at the exact same time that Robinson was in a team meeting. The fraud was discovered easily and Robinson was thrown out of West Virginia for academic fraud.
Robinson attempted to transfer to another school. He was heavily sought and narrowed his transfer choices to Alabama and Oklahoma. But a transfer requirement to be immediately eligible to play football immediately was that the student "be in good academic standing". Since Robinson was not, he would have to sit out his first year at Alabama or Oklahoma-something this 20 year old had no interest in doing.
So what did Robinson do? He entered his name into the XFL draft, eventually becoming the 39th player drafted and taken by the St. Louis BattleHawks.
I was not a committed follower of the XFL season, but many XFL beat writers considered him to be one of the best defensive players in the league with one national writer actually saying he was the league's top defensive player.
Beginning last week, we have seen several XFL players signing with NFL teams including Askew-Henry to the Giants-but Robinson is not yet signed? Why? Because the NFL has determined that he has NFL draft eligibility, and instead will be part of this April's draft.
I am glad the Giants have multiple Day 3 picks. The draft is full of players with different circumstances that drop them in the NFL draft. It was clearly wrong what Robinson did this with his girlfriend, but certainly we have seen players with far worse off field behavior.
On the field, Robinson has proven his Free Safety skills. All Big 10 as a soph at WV, and highly regarded in the XFL season.
Kenny Robinson- a name to keep in on eye when the Giants are drafting on Day 3 at a position of need.
Robinson - ( New Window )
Robinson - ( New Window )
Kenny Robinson FS - ( New Window )
Somehow I don't think that tidbit is going to endear him to the Giants scouts.
Somehow I don't think that tidbit is going to endear him to the Giants scouts.
The guy made a mistake. Hopefully the only one. Blame the girlfriend who wasn’t smart enough to know that she shouldn’t turn it in if 👋e didn’t have an alibi.
WTH.
The rules to be eligible to play in the XFL are different than the NFL rules.
I doubt that you will see this happen again.
At the time he made himself available for the XFL draft, it is my understanding that he was advised what the process he would have to follow (the April draft) to get a chance to be in the NFL.
If Robinson is not drafted (not happening) by Day 3, he would then be eligible to negotiate and sign with any team (UDFA)