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Friday, December 13, 2002
Robinson going pro
Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Declaring himself physically and mentally
ready for a new challenge, North Carolina State sophomore wide
receiver Koren Robinson said Thursday he would enter the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder from Belmont caught 62 passes for
1,061 yards this season, and his 15 100-yard receiving games set a
Wolfpack record.
"This is a great opportunity for me and my family," Robinson
said. "This has been a dream of mine ever since I was young. My
family has supported me all through my life regardless of what
decisions I made and the benefits from this decision will give me
an opportunity to give back to them."
Robinson believed his pro stock likely rose following an
outstanding game in the Micronpc.com Bowl in which he had 157
receiving yards and 151 more on kickoff returns.
"I was thinking this the whole year, but after the bowl game I
was like, `I can do this, I'm ready,"' Robinson said. "That just
showed NFL scouts that I do have the talent to play at the next
level."
Robinson called coach Chuck Amato on Tuesday to inform him of
his decision to leave school two years early and enter the April
draft. Amato didn't try to talk him out of his decision, he said.
"He backed me 100 percent," Robinson said. "He said, `Keep
your head on straight and do what you're capable of doing.' He's in
my corner."
Amato, who was returning from the Orange Bowl, didn't attend
Robinson's news conference. He did issue a statement about his star
receiver who, at times, was at odds with Amato this season.
Robinson was suspended twice in 2000 for violating team academic
rules -- one quarter at Maryland and the first half of the
regular-season finale against Wake Forest.
"Koren has great athletic skills and we'll miss him dearly at
North Carolina State University," Amato said.
Robinson said academics played a small role in his decision to
turn pro. "One of my goals and dreams is to come back and finish
college," he said.
Robinson said he would be disappointed if he wasn't taken high
in the first round of the draft. His 4.3-speed in the 40-yard dash,
his size, and ability to return punts and kickoffs should make
Robinson an attractive pick for most NFL teams.
"The (returns) may help me get looked at before other receivers
on the board in the draft, because of the versatility," Robinson
said.
Robinson follows in a long line of great Wolfpack receivers that
included Torry Holt, Mike Quick and Haywood Jeffires. Robinson's
family sought out Quick for advice during the decision-making
process.
Robinson was accompanied at the news conference by his mother,
Suzette Sims, and two aunts. Sims said she wanted her son to stay
in school, but was overruled. Three years ago, Sims hand-picked
N.C. State for Robinson.
Sims had a sinking feeling watching her son perform so well in
Miami last week.
"It started off slow and I was holding out hope, but then he
got better and I said, `He's going,"' Sims said. "I have no doubt
about his ability. He'll be good. When you get to be a grown man it
gets hard for mamma to overrule you."
The loss of Robinson is a major blow to a Wolfpack offense that
scored 30 or more points in eight of 12 games. Robinson was the
favorite target of freshman quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw
for more than 3,000 yards and 25 TDs.
Bryan Peterson, who caught 28 passes in 2000, will be the team's
top returning wide receiver. Willie Wright had 31 catches as a
tight end.
"He said he would miss me," Robinson said of his conversation
with Rivers. "I told him it was a privilege working with him. I
apologized to him. He laughed."
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