On Thursday, Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV was named the Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Robinson will be honored during a ceremony at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille in Gainesville, Florida, on Feb. 23 alongside the FWAA’s Offensive (Malachi Toney) and Special Teams (Quentin Gibson) Freshmen of the Year.
Robinson is the second Georgia player to earn the Freshman of the Year honor from the FWAA, joining Brock Bowers, who won the award in 2021. The FWAA began awarding National Freshman Player of the Year honors in 2018.
A redshirt freshman from New Haven, Connecticut, Robinson was responsible for half of the Bulldog defense’s 9 interceptions this season. After appearing in just 4 games as a first-year defender in 2024, Robinson took hold of a starting spot in 2025 and appeared in all 14 games.
He started 12 times, including each of Georgia’s last 11 games. He recorded 20 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 7 pass breakups, and 4 interceptions.
According to PFF, Robinson gave up 15 receptions on 35 targets for 315 yards and 3 scores. Opposing passers had just a 64.3 passer rating when targeting him.
Robinson was a 5-star prospect in the 2024 class.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
