Denard Robinson is returning to Jacksonville. The former Michigan quarterback was hired on as an offensive analyst for the Dolphins earlier this week. It’s a return to the city where Robinson spent four years as a pro player, and his first job as a football coach.
Jacksonville University has hired former Jaguars running back Denard Robinson as an offensive analyst on the football coaching staff. https://t.co/3CxCecGTlO
— Florida Times-Union (@jaxdotcom) July 30, 2019
Jacksonville University is in the FCS and a member of the Pioneer League. The Dolphins have not had much success (while most of the conferences in the FCS offer scholarships, the Pioneer League does not), but Robinson is looking to change that with his expertise.
At Michigan, Denard Robinson was one of the most exciting players in college football. Earlier this decade he earned the nickname “Shoelace” because he never tied his shoelaces while on the field, and he ran all over opponents.
https://twitter.com/AlwaysMaize/status/882000160250896384
During his four years at Michigan, Robinson ran for 4,495 yards and 42 touchdowns. He ended his college career with the most career rushing yards in the history of the sport, although that has since been broken by Keenan Reynolds, and he is the only quarterback to ever run for 1,500 yards and throw for 1,500 yards in a season.
He was selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars drafted him for his athleticism and planned to use him in a variety of roles and he primarily saw action at running back and kick returner over the course of his career.
Robinson’s best season came in 2014 when he amassed 706 yards from scrimmage, but his production declined and a continued fumbling issue (eight fumbles in 306 touches) led to the Jaguars parting ways with him after the 2016 season.
After Jacksonville failed to offer him a contract, he tried to catch on with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets, but neither team signed him to a deal. Robinson last played for the lowly Atlanta Legends of the short-lived AAF earlier this year.
H/T Florida Times Union
