Austrian Robinson is the second defensive Rebel to sign with the Carolina Panthers

Austrian Robinson, former defensive lineman and Chucky Mullins award winner at Ole Miss, will be joining Myles Hartsfield and signing with the Carolina Panthers, per agent Ty Barnes.

Robinson who came out of high-school was a three-star prospect out of high school as a two-way player. The Harlem, NY. native found his home on the defensive line and wore the coveted No. 38 during his senior year in Oxford, given to an upperclassman defensive player that embodies the spirit of Mullins— courage, leadership, perseverance and determination.

He stands 6-foot-4, 300 pounds and played primarily as a strong-side defensive end. Robinson played in 38 games over the course of his four-year career and recorded 81 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. His best season came as a senior with 29 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one pass defended.

“And people said I would never accomplish anything,” he said to the Clarion Ledger.

What does he do well?

Robinson is a huge physical presence with top-tier explosiveness.

He didn’t have the most productive stat-line in Oxford and never really made a mark until his senior year. He is one of those players that has the intangibles and knows how to play, but never quite had it click. Robinson could have blossomed with more time.

He holds his own against top SEC offensive linemen and can out-muscle some of the best tackles in the game, or beat them to the gap with a powerful first step and swift upfield pass rush. His anticipation is top-tier and he consistently creates pile-ups in running lanes or is already broken down in the hole ready to wrap-up when the running back gets there. When he makes the tackle, he lays the boom.

Where does he fit in?

As first-year head coach Matt Rhule reevaluates his entire defense, Robinson seems to fit the bill for the type of player he desires. The Panthers selected large defensive tackle from Auburn Derrick Brown in the first round, and followed it up with six more picks on that side of the ball. Robinson is another Rebel with the ability to move around where those overseeing the defense dees fitting.

It is unclear where Robinson will fit in on the next level, considering his size is best fit for an interior position, but his athleticism slots him on the end. Either way, he has a shot to grow under a first-year staff that seems to values potential as equally as prior results. Robinson is an absolute dude and could be a real problem for offensive linemen to handle if he can continue to learn the game.

Hear from the experts:

Former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke—

“The thing about Austrian was the way he came to work every single day. I think the kids really respected that. He doesn’t really ever say much, but if he does stand up and say something, people will listen. He had the respect of the locker room with his work ethic. We were installing a new defense and he was just kind of the glue that held everything together.”