Nick Saban on Cam Robinson: ‘He’s got a lot more upside than people think’
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Depending on who you ask leading up to the draft, opinions can vastly differ on former Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson. Count his former head coach Nick Saban among those willing to go to bat for the hulking lineman.
Tipping the scales at 6-foot-6 and 322-pounds at the NFL combine, Robinson’s lack of consistent dominant performances throughout the years have left some questioning whether he has what it takes to play left tackle at the game’s highest level.
After immediately starting his career as the Tide’s left tackle his true freshman season, Robinson earned Freshman All-American status in 2014. After a slow start in his sophomore season, Robinson anchored the offensive line that blocked for Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and helped Alabama win the national championship in 2015. While Robinson didn’t perform poorly his last season on campus, many would argue the line’s standout performer was not the veteran left tackle, but instead, turned out to be true freshman right tackle Jonah Williams.
Despite any criticism thrown Robinson’s way during the pre-draft process, Saban’s recent comments on Sirius XM NFL radio suggest his star left tackle was playing hurt last season and that his best football is well ahead of him.
Nick Saban on Cam Robinson: He's got a lot more upside than people think due to his athleticism…injuries hindered his development.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 11, 2017
While the pre-draft process is well known for making non-issues into big storylines, Robinson’s college performance certainly suggests he will be given every chance to earn his place in the starting lineup at the NFL level starting next season. If any and all concern stemming from last offseason’s felony arrest in Louisiana is well-researched and found to be satisfactory — all charges were dropped in that incident — expect Robinson to hear his name called early in the upcoming draft.
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A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
