HOUSTON – For Texas A&M offensive guard Layden Robinson, the draft process was a fun experience. He embraced the testing, interviews and travel aspect of this ultra-detailed job interview that encompassed the past four months.
“It’s has been good, it’s been surreal,” Robinson told KPRC 2. “I’ve been able to go round to the different teams and have interviews with them and the coaches. You dream of getting to this moment The process has truly been a blessing. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
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A second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and former Manvel standout, Robinson visited the hometown Texans along with the Jacksonville jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers. At the Texans’ training facility at NRG Stadium, Robinson met with coach DeMeco Ryans.
“It was great meeting coach Ryans,” Robinson said. “It was good asking him questions about how he changed the program in a year and how he changed the city of Houston and now Houston has got that hope. The team is becoming great again. It’s a big thing. It was cool being there.
“In Kansas City, you can feel the culture when you walk in their building and feel the air in the room. It’s a championship program. To walk in the locker room and see the players’ lockers, it’s a big thing. You can see the expectations and why they’re so successful. The Patriots visit was fun, seeing the culture in Foxborough and talking with their coach, Jerod Mayo. Buffalo was definitely cool. That’s a really nice facility.”
Robinson played in the Senior Bowl all-star game and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.08 seconds at the Aggies’ campus Pro Day workout.
Robinson (6-foot-3 1/2, 302 pounds, 34 5/8 arms, 10 1/2 hands) has a lot of power at the line of scrimmage and is continuing to hone his skills in pass protection.
“At the combine, I believe I did really good with the drills,” Robinson said. “That was a great experience. The Senior Bowl was fun, some highly competitive guys. At the Pro Day, I tested really well, too.”
With a thick, strong build and base of leverage, Robinson sustains blocks well, delivers strong contact and moves defenders out of the way. He is adept at pulling and reaching the second level to wall off linebackers. Robinson is heavy handed with long arms.
hat “They get a football player who’s going to lay it all on the line and get the most out of every play,” Robinson said. “I play every play like it’s my last. I’ve always had that mentality. The teams say they love the way I play, the effort I give, the hustle I have.. That’s what I’m proud of and being downhill and finishing blocks and being a good technican.”
Robinson started all nine games last season.
Texas A&M @AggieFootball second-team All-Southeastern Conference offensive guard Layden Robinson @LaydenRobinson @ManvelFootball visited multiple #NFL teams, including #Texans #Jaguars #Packers #Chiefs #Patriots #Bills #Dolphins #Lions #49ers @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/Yotak77nr5
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL)
As a junior he started all 12 games and earned the team’s Toughness award and strength and conditioning award. He blocked for 1,000-yard rusher and future Miami Dolphins draft pick De’Von Achane.
“My run blocking is a real plus for me,” Robinson said. “That’s what I pride myself on: how I come off the ball and clear out gaps. That’s my strongest attribute.
“On pass blocking, I feel like the sky is the limit. I can definitely get a lot better at things technically. I’ve seen things I’ve noticed on film and with my trainer and how I can correct those things.”
He became a starter as a sophomore.
At Manvel, he was an all-district and all-star game selection. He was named an Offensive Player of the Year finalist by the Houston Touchdown Club.
“The whole thing was the process of interviewing for a job,” Robinson said. “It let you see who was interested in you. I learned a little something different about each place and the culture of their programs.”
When Robinson isn’t playing football, he’s a huge pro wrestling fan. He grew up watching Stone Cold Steve Austin, the Rock and many others.
Robinson is also a huge Food Network fan and a budding chef.
“I watched Bobby Flay with my mom growing up,” Robinson said. “I love Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I actually went to one of those restaurants Guy Fieri put on the show, Cool Runnings, Jamaican restaurant in Houston when I was little. I love to cook, My favorite dish to make is marinating steaks and cooking them on the grill.”
Robinson is also into video games.
“My favorite game of all-time is Assassin’s Creed,” he said. “Ranked second is probably Batman, then WWE And Spiderman.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.