23 Players in 23 Days: #22 Layden Robinson

Position: Offensive line
Classification: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Manvel, TX
Listed Height: 6-4
Listed Weight: 325 lbs.

Key notes from Olin's thoughts on Robinson

• First of all, Layden Robinson is good. He needs to be better. We need to be talking about him as a top-10 player at the end of the season.
   
• This time last year, Robinson was rated by guys like Mel Kiper as the No. 1 inside offensive line prospect. They were assuming he would be going into the NFL Draft. He probably would have, but Robinson will tell you that he didn't play well or to his own standard. You don't need a guy that will de-cleat everybody. You just have to get in the other guy's way and push him away.
   
• Robinson is making the blocks downfield. He is really good with run blocking and can get better at pass blocking.
   
• Anybody in the SEC, you put him against Layden Robinson and say, "Block this guy one-on-one." Layden will block him.
   
• Where I think he gets in trouble is pass-blocking with the stunts and twists. He had a first-year coach last year. Maybe he had to get a grasp of it, and there was confusion. You work at that, and Robinson might be the No. 1 interior lineman prospect again.
   
• He is strong. He is athletic. We are watching plays, and he is pulling. In some plays, he is such a good lead blocker on the pull that he is knocking somebody out. Defenses know to watch this guy because he can knock the tar out of somebody.
   
• I like Robinson as a player. I think he can be a lot better than he was last year. He has had nagging injuries and has played through them. He is a tough guy. He is a smart guy. There was some confusion last year. If they iron out that confusion, he is as good as anybody.
   
• I love the fact that Layden stood out and said I did not play to the standard I have for myself. There are so many people that don't want to hold themself accountable. He called himself out. That's a guy I expect to see get better because he acknowledges he wasn't as good as he can be.