North Carolina State University Athletics
Koren Robinson to Enter NFL Draft
1/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
RALEIGH, N.C. -- After watching NC State wide receiver Koren Robinson dismantle his secondary in the MicronPC.com Bowl, Minnesota football coach Glen Mason said that we would someday be watching Robinson on Sundays. It looks like that 'someday' will come sooner than later.Robinson, who was a redshirt sophomore last season, has decided to forego his final two years of college eligibility and make himself available for April's National Football League Draft.
"This is a great opportunity for me and my family," said Robinson, who was a semifinalist for the 2000 Biletnikoff Award. "This gives me an opportunity to give back to them. Playing in the NFL has been my dream since I was young and I know that I am ready both physically and mentally for this challenge.
Playing at NC State has been a great experience. I love the Wolfpack fans and appreciate all of their support. I've learned a lot from my coaches and appreciate what they've done for me. Playing for Coach Amato has helped me develop as a player and has made me a better man. Most of all, I want my teammates to know how much they mean to me and that I will miss them and will be pulling for them. I'll come back to see them play as much as I can."
The 6-2, 203 pound native of Belmont, North Carolina was a first team All-ACC selection after putting together a spectacular 2000 campaign. During the regular season, Robinson made 62 catches for 1,061 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 62 receptions and 13 scoring grabs were tied for the second most in school history, and his 1,061 receiving yards were third. He also set a new school mark for consecutive 100-yard receiving games with six.
Overall, he broke Torry Holt's school records for 100-yard receiving games in a season (nine) and 100-yard receiving games for a career (15). Robinson and Holt are the only players in Wolfpack history to go over the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a season.
In the Wolfpack's come-from-behind 38-30 win over Minnesota in the MicronPC.com Bowl, Robinson caught seven passes for 157 yards. He also scored two touchdowns, one on a 19-yard run and the other on a 23-yard pass from freshman quarterback Philip Rivers.
"Koren has great athletic skills and we'll miss him dearly at North Carolina State University," said Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato. "I wish him all the best in his new endeavor and I will give him all the support he needs."
Robinson came to NC State in 1998 after starring as a running back at South Point High School. In his senior year, he rushed for over 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns. Redshirted as a freshman, Robinson was moved to wide receiver during fall practice. In 1999, he was named ACC Rookie of the Year after finishing seventh in the league with 48 receptions for 853 yards.
(Annabelle Vaughan, Assistant AD for Media Relations at NC State, contributed to this story).
