ACU safety Byron Robinson Jr. brings leadership and hard-hitting to Wildcats defense

By: Justin Kelm

• NAME: BYRON ROBINSON JR.
• POSITION Safety 
• HEIGHT 5-11 
• WEIGHT 184 
• CLASS Senior HOMETOWN McKinney, Texas 
• HIGH SCHOOL McKinney HS

Leadership is defined as “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” And for one Abilene Christian University senior this is nothing new. Before arriving at the Wildcats,  Safety Byron Robinson Jr. was making an impact in high school at McKinney and then in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) with the Kilgore College Rangers.

The Rangers at the time were led by current Northeastern State Head Coach J.J. Eckert and at the time, Defensive Coordinator Willie Gooden (Current Kilgore College Head Coach). While with the Rangers from 2016 through 2017, Robinson Jr. recorded 22 tackles with three tackles for loss, one interception, 15 pass breakups and two blocked kicks.

His contributions did not go unnoticed as he was named as an Honorable mention all-conference selection in his final season at Kilgore College. After the 2017 season, Robinson Jr. fielded a plethora of offers that were expected. Massachusetts, Northwestern State, Alabama A&M, and Davenport all showed interest in him.

Robinson Jr. decided to stay home and play for the Wildcats who are members of the Southland Conference. With the commitment, Robinson Jr. began his journey playing in Division I football. During his Junior Season in 2018, he appeared in three games contributing to Special Teams. In 2019, Robinson Jr. burst on to the scene.

According to the official statistics provided by the University, he appeared in all 12 games and contributed to all of the games played. For the season, Robinson Jr. collected 20 tackles (1.0 tackle for loss) with a forced fumble vs. Stephen F. Austin and a pass breakup vs. Arizona Christian. He was also named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

He can contribute on and off the field. For his efforts, the Wildcats have officially named him a team captain for the 2020 season. This is a great accomplishment. Robinson Jr. displays excellent instincts that have contributed also to his success at this level. When evaluating film, Robinson Jr. also displays an above-average burst to accelerate out of his breaks and attack the ball going both forward (toward the run) and backward (in coverage).

Robinson Jr. continues to better himself as he has been putting in work throughout the offseason.  He is athletic and can make the tackles that are needed in big-time situations. The Wildcats open up their season this upcoming Saturday as they travel to El Paso to battle the Miners of the University of Texas at El Paso. Kickoff is set for 7 PM MT from the Sun Bowl and the game can be seen on the ESPN app.