This Senior Bowl pass rushers class is full of star-studded names, with the likes of Laiatu Latu, Chris Braswell, Javon Solomon, and Marist Liufau. Those guys deserve all the attention they are getting, however, I would like to focus on someone who is flying under the radar with Missouri's Darius Robinson. The former Mizzou Tiger was one of the biggest standouts from the first day of the Senior Bowl, with him using his power on this one-on-one drill during Team America's practice.
Darius Robinson
Position: Interior Defensive Lineman
School: Missouri
Year: Senior
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 286
40 Yard Dash: 4.78
Season Stats: 43 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 14.0 tackles for loss
Career Overview
Robinson committed to Mizzou in 2018 after playing both basketball and football for Canton High School in Canton, Michigan. Robinson didn't even start playing organized football until he transferred to Canton HS from Canton Prep as a junior. Despite that, Robinson grew early in his career as he helped the Cobras to a state playoff appearance in his final year. Robinson would receive several offers from top schools including Michigan State, Minnesota, and Rutgers among many others. Part of his reasoning at the time was that we wanted to play the best of the best week in and week out in the SEC. While Robinson didn't get much playing time in the first three years of his career, combining for just one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, it was in his final two years that things started to get rolling for him. Robinson put up 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, with 8.5 coming in his final season. With his 2023 stat line, he was selected to the First Team ALL-SEC by the coaches and the AP.
Player Comparison: DeMarcus Walker
While not as lofty as some other player comparisons out there, I think between the size, speed and play style, Darius Robinson and DeMarcus Walker almost play like the same player. They are violent bull rushers who can rush the passer from the interior or off the edge. They also have chops in the run game as well, with Walker compiling nine TFLs in his first season with the Bears.
Final Word
The main concern with him is the lack of consistency shedding blocks and can putting himself out of the play at times. That is part of the reason why Robinson has been mocked as a fourth-round pick, with NFL Draft Buzz putting him as their 108th ranked prospect. In the end, I do think that Robinson could have a higher upside than a player picked at 108, but the floor for Robinson could easily him being a rotational lineman who can play on either the inside or outside.