Delano Robinson
	Height	6-1
	Weight	195
	40-yard Dash	4.6
	Bench Press	"300-plus"
	Squat	400

First-team 5A All-State (Associated Press)
First-team all-District 5-5A
Rivals: ***
Scout: **
247sports: **

Last Year Statistics

62 tackles
5 interceptions
3 fumble recoveries

Strengths as a Player

The SMU defensive coaches clearly like hybrid players who could play safety or STAR linebacker, and Robinson fits that description. As a junior, he moved to safety for the first time, and brought some linebacker skills, including aggressiveness when approaching the ball carrier and hard tackling, drawing comparisons to LSU safety Jamal Adams. Robinson is a smart, versatile player reads offenses well and excels in coverage, especially on deep passes.

Interviews

Ryan head coach Dave Henigan on Delano Robinson:

Delano is a great student, an unbelievable kid and a hard worker. He’ll be a great fit at SMU. He has very high character, and football is important to him. He’s just an unbelievable kid.

One thing I like is that I think a lot of his decision was based on academics. SMU is a great school, and when he and his mom went to their Junior Day, they met some of the academic people there, and they felt like it was a really good fit. Then they got to know the coaches and learn about the program there, and it all added up.

Delano said he wants to be part of rebuilding something, which isn’t a surprise at all — that’s sort of who he is. He’s just a worker, not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get to work. To get that program to where they want it to be, they need people like that. I think that’s the kind of player they’re trying to recruit, and he’s one of them. He’s a winner.

We have played him at a lot of positions, because he’s so smart and can do so many things. They talked about him at that STAR linebacker spot and maybe some safety, and I think he’ll end up being good at either one. He’s about 6-1 and 195 pounds now, but his dad is a big guy — I doubt he’s done growing.

The other thing about him is that he’s extremely physical. Again, he’s not the biggest guy out there, but when you watch his highlight video, when he tackles someone, it’s not just a tackle — it’s violent.

Delano Robinson on why he chose SMU:

Before I even had an offer, I went up there to see it, and I really liked it. I liked the campus, and the coaches showed me a lot of love — the whole staff was really welcoming. Plus, with Coach Morris being from Clemson, you know he knows what he’s capable of doing.

The education at SMU is great, and the SMU name holds a lot of weight in the future when it comes to getting a job.

(Former high school teammate Ken McLaurin) was really pulling me to come to SMU — we’re like brothers. He was telling me not to slack off when football season was over, that I need to keep working out. My dad will make sure of that. I’m going to work on getting stronger, but more than anything I’m going to keep working on my speed.