NORMAL, Ill. – The National Football League officially announced its full list of invitees to the 2020 NFL Combine and Illinois State All-American tailback James Robinson was among the 12 FCS standouts invited to Lucas Oil Stadium from Feb. 23-March 2 for the league's annual pre-draft scouting spectacle.
Robinson is the second Redbird player invited to the NFL combine in the past three seasons, as Davontae Harris made the most of his 2018 invite and was drafted in the fifth round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Robinson will work out at the NFL Combine along with the other running backs, offensive linemen, place kickers and special teamers on Friday, Feb. 28. He will be joined at the combine by fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference stars in North Dakota State defensive end Derrek Tuszka and Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn.
"The combine answers the question on the measurables for prospects like James, but I think he showed what kind of all-around player he can be with his performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl™," ISU head coach Brock Spack said. "I know James has been working hard at all the drills he will perform at the combine and if he can shave some time off his 40 and a couple other drills, he has a chance to really improve his draft stock. I have no doubts he will perform well there against some of the best players in the country and reinforce to the NFL teams watching what they already know about him as a player."
Robinson is fresh off a stellar performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl™," where he accumulated 136 total yards (80 rushing, 56 passing) and scored the longest touchdown in the history of the prestigious game with a 63-yard rushing score. The consensus first-team All-American picked up honors by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the AFCA, HERO Sports, The Associated Press and STATS FCS following a stellar senior campaign for the Redbirds.
The Rockford, Illinois, native started all 15 games at running back for the Redbirds and led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in rushing yards (1,899), yards per game (126.6) and touchdowns (18). The three-time All-MVFC selection (2017-19) and two-time Walter Payton Award finalist recorded eight 100-plus yard rushing efforts, including a pair of 200-plus yard efforts in the first and second round of the FCS playoffs that included a school-record breaking 297-yard effort in the first-round with at SEMO.
Robinson finished the season ranked No. 2 in the FCS in rushing yards and yards per game and sixth in rushing touchdowns. He finished his illustrious career ranked No. 2 in Illinois State history in rushing yards (4,444), rushing touchdowns (44), all-purpose yards (5,218) and total touchdowns scored (46).
Fans can follow Robinson's progress at the NFL Combine through live results posted on NFL.com and through the NFL Combine app. The televised drill portion of the combine will also air in prime-time slots on the NFL Network.
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