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The University of Mississippi Athletics
A Big Time Playmaker
10/10/2005 | Football
Oct. 10, 2005
By Chris Purser
Athletics Media Relations
Ole Miss senior linebacker Kelvin Robinson is easy to spot. Wearing the famed number 38, the Jackson, Miss., native has become one of the leaders on this year's team. But while the number may tell you who he is, the position he plays tells a different story. That's because for four years, Robinson was a strong safety for the Ole Miss Rebels.
"At first it was tough moving over to a new position," said Robinson. "It was real tough. I had to work at it. The best way I could do it was to just get better and better at one phase, and then work on the next."
It's not uncommon for players of a sport to change positions. But, most do it at the beginning of their college careers. And, most are not expected to contribute right away.
Not so for Robinson. Robinson worked everyday to compete for playing time when he first arrived, but became frustrated with his role on the team.
After redshirting in 2001, Robinson played in all 13 games in 2002, earning his first letter.
"I remember telling (former Ole Miss DB) Von Hutchins before a game, `I'm just going to lay it all on the line, leave everything out there on the field,'" Robinson said.
The game was against Auburn in 2002. Robinson recorded five tackles and forced a fumble. His performance solidified Robinson as a big-time player the coaches could count on.
Robinson would soon be considered one of the playmakers on defense. Known for his big-hit abilities, he would earn a starting spot in the defensive backfield at strong safety for the Rebels in 2003 and 2004.
As a sophomore in 2003, Robinson recorded 67 hits (55 solo) and snagged his first career interception in the Alabama game. The 80-yard interception return for a TD against the Crimson Tide is the seventh longest in Ole Miss history.
Robinson followed his first year as a starter at strong safety with another solid campaign in 2004. He tallied 52 tackles and recorded a season-high 10 hits against Vanderbilt.
Flash forward to 2005. Enter Coach "O". Looking to shore up some much-needed depth at linebacker, new head coach and defensive coordinator Ed Orgeron moved the playmaker fromsafety to outside linebacker. It was a move that had Robinson worried for just a little while.
"I know that, as a senior, young players look to me to not make any mistakes," said Robinson. "For this defense, the linebackers are the center of the defense. There is not a lot of room for error."
Robinson went to work, looking to find ways to get better and shore up areas where mistakes were being made. He turned to one well-known current Rebel, and one who is quickly making a name for himself.
"I had a lot of help from Patrick Willis and Garry Pack," Robinson said. "They taught me things like where to be on certain calls, what to look for and what angles to take."
The listening and work paid off again for Robinson. Not only did he emerge as the 2005 winner of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award and the right to wear the No. 38, but he also ended the spring as the projected starter going into fall practice.
"It's like I told Von, I'm just going to go out there and be aggressive on every play," Robinson said. "You just have to work and be aggressive every play. I want to leave everything out there on the field."
It didn't take long for Robinson to make a statement at his new position. In the Rebels' first game of the Coach O era, Robinson tallied a career-high 11 stops (six solo), a QB sack and one pass deflection in a 10-6 win over Memphis.
Heading into today's game against The Citadel, Robinson leads the Ole Miss defense in total tackles with 40, including 29 solo.
While the adjustment period has come to an end, Robinson says that there are two former SEC standouts that he wishes he could have faced in his new position.
"Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams of Auburn are two players who I would love to play against at linebacker," Robinson said. "The last game against Cadillac, I lined up and he missed the linebackers and headed for my side. I hit him with everything I had, and he liked it. I would like one more shot at him now. Ronnie Brown would make you miss. I think I would have a better shot at him at this position."
Robinson, who is involved in many community service projects, was named the SEC Good Works Player of the Week for the week of September 26. Robinson has already earned his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice. While Robinson would prefer to play his old position just one more time, he has definitely made the most of his opportunity here at Ole Miss. He credits both his teammates and the coaching staff for everything that has come his way.
"You have to believe in the coaches," Robinson said. "Coach O is building a benchmark program here. This is a big program, and Coach O believes in us. Just listen to the coaches, listen to what they have to say, and take their advice. It will all work out."
It already has for Robinson.
