Robinson Named Finalist For NFL Rookie of the Year

NORMAL, Ill. – Former Illinois State All-American running back and current Jacksonville Jaguars standout James Robinson was named a finalist for the 2020 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Award Friday. Robinson could be the first undrafted player in NFL history to win the award.

Robinson joins Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young on the list.

Fans can vote online at www.nfl.com/voting/rookies or directly on Twitter through January 25. To cast a vote on Twitter, fans should tweet James Robinson or @Robinson_jamess with the hashtag #PepsiROY. The 2020 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Award winner will be recognized in Tampa Bay and presented a trophy virtually during Super Bowl LV festivities.

Robinson started 14 games for the Jags in 2020 and finished with 1,414 scrimmage yards (1,070 rushing, 344 receiving), the most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie in the common-draft era. The Rockford, Illinois, native was the only rookie to average more than 100 scrimmage yards per game this season and his 1,070 rushing yards ranked second among rookies and fifth overall. Robinson's 1,070 rushing yards are the second-most by a rookie in Jaguars franchise history, trailing only Fred Taylor (1,223 in 1998).

The Redbird product scored 10 total touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving), which tied for the fourth-most among rookies in 2020. He also led all rookie running backs in receptions (49) and receiving touchdowns (three) in 2020. Robinson is the third undrafted rookie with 10 touchdowns in the common-draft era, joining Phillip Lindsay (2018) and Dominic Rhodes (2001). He had seven games with at least 100 scrimmage yards this season, tied with Clark Gaines (1976) for the most such games by an undrafted rookie since 1967.

After starting the first three games of the season and registering 339 scrimmage yards (210 rushing, 129 receiving) and three touchdowns, Robinson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in September. He became the first undrafted player in NFL history to post at least 300 scrimmage yards and multiple touchdowns through three career games, and his 339 scrimmage yards are the most ever by an undrafted player through three career games. 

Despite not being selected in the NFL Draft, Robinson's success did not come as a surprise to fans who followed Illinois State and FCS football over the past several years. He finished his illustrious career ranked No. 2 in the ISU record books in rushing yards (4,444), rushing touchdowns (44), all-purpose yards (5,218) and total touchdowns scored (46). Following his senior season in 2019, Robinson was named a consensus first-team FCS All-American and was selected as a Walter Payton Award finalist for the second-straight season. 

He capped his historic career with a pair stellar performances, as he became the only player in Missouri Valley Football Conference history with a pair of 200-plus yard rushing performances in the FCS playoffs which included a school-record 297-yard performance in the opening round in a road win against Southeast Missouri.

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