Syracuse Football NFL Combine Preview: EDGE Alton Robinson

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 26: Defensive End Alton Robinson #94 of the Syracuse Orange during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 26, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Orange 35 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 26: Defensive End Alton Robinson #94 of the Syracuse Orange during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on October 26, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Orange 35 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

Syracuse football will hope to end a drought in the NFL Draft. Here’s a full NFL Combine preview for EDGE rusher Alton Robinson.

Syracuse football pass-rushing star Alton Robinson is unequivocally considered the program’s premier talent in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Heading into the NFL Combine, Robinson is absolutely buzzing among NFL folks we’ve spoken with.

Collegiate production:

Robinson’s production and talent speaks for itself. Alton spent three years on the hill and dominated putting up 19.5 total sacks (ranks seventh in program history), five forced fumbles, 32.5 tackles for loss (tied for ninth in program history), and 115 total tackles (71 of those being of the solo variety).

2018 was his best season at Syracuse (10 sacks), but in 2019 his stats weren’t nearly as impressive (only four sacks). A big reason for that was the loss of defensive tackle Chris Slayton who entered the 2019 NFL Draft and was a seventh-round pick by the New York Giants.

All of the opponent’s focus was on Slayton heading into 2018, after he left Robinson became the center of attention and that affected his numbers. Although despite not having the big stat sheet, he still impressed NFL scouts throughout the season in spurts.

NFL Draft stock:

Everyone believes Alton is the Orange’s best prospect coming out this year. He has a chance to be the highest-drafted Syracuse player since 2014 (Jay Bromley, third round, 74th overall).

Alton Robinson had a very quiet and to be blunt below average week of practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. That all changed once we got to the game on Saturday. Alton dominated and finished the day with two sacks and really had NFL people walking away impressed.

Right now his NFL Draft stock has a ceiling of the second round and a floor of the fourth round according to several area scouts and media draft analysts. Although some believe if he puts on a show in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine he could even sneak into the backend of the first round.

If that were to happen it would snap a seven-year first-round drought. The last time a member of the Orange heard his name called in round one was Justin Pugh back in 2013 he was the 19th overall pick.

NFL Combine schedule:

Alton Robinson is one of 46 defensive linemen who have been invited to the NFL Combine. DL is the third most represented unit at this year’s annual Underwear Olympics.

Here is his full NFL Combine schedule per Syracuse Athletics:

"Tuesday, February 25 – Registration, orientation, and interviewsWednesday, February 26 – Measurements, pre-exam and interviewsThursday, February 27 – Media, medical exams, position coach interviews, psychological testingFriday, February 28 – Bench press, NFLPA meeting, interviews, psychological testing continued.Saturday, February 29 – On-field workouts"