North Carolina State University Athletics
Former Wolfpack Football Players Eye NFL Draft
4/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
On Saturday and Sunday, all four of those young men will park themselves in front of a television set in hopes of hearing their names called at the annual NFL Draft. It could turn into the day they've been dreaming about all their lives.
For Robinson, a record-breaking wide receiver from Belmont, the suspense will be unnerving from the very first moment that league commissioner Paul Tagliabue approaches the podium to announce the first pick. Soon after saying that he would give up his final two years of college eligibility in January, Robinson was immediately ranked as one of the top receivers available in the draft. More than likely, he'll be among the first 10 players taken.
Wilson is also an underclassman who earned a reputation as being one of the hardest hitting safeties in college football last season. Most of the self proclaimed draft experts predict that the chiseled 6-3, 212 pound High Point native will be taken in the second round.
"I think I'll be gone in the first round," said a confident Wilson.
Wilson certainly opened some eyes at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where his stock took a meteoric rise following some impressive workouts. ESPN Draft analyst Mel Kiper says, "Wilson has far too much talent and upside potential not to project as a quality starter at strong safety in the NFL."
Once thought of as a possible top three pick, Robinson's popularity slipped somewhat following a pair of injury riddled workouts in Raleigh. While running the 40-yard dash for several interested scouts on March 23rd, Robinson felt a twinge in his hamstring. He says he was still less than 100 percent when he ran a disappointing 4.6-40 in a rescheduled workout a few weeks later.
"I don't know if it will hurt me or not," Robinson said, "but I know I would have had an excellent workout if I would have been 100 percent. My game film shows that my workout times weren't accurate. You can look at the film and know that I don't run a 4.6 40. I'm not too worried about it."
A first team All-ACC selection and second team All-American after making 62 catches for 1,061 yards 13 touchdowns last season, the 6-2, 205 pound Robinson led the Wolfpack to an 8-4 record that included a spectacular comeback win over Minnesota in the MicronPC.com Bowl in Miami. After finishing that game with 157 receiving yards and 151 yards on kickoff returns, Robinson knew he was ready for the NFL.
"I felt like that may have been the best game of my career as far as doing everything well," he said. "At the end of the game, I knew I was ready for this. It is a dream come true, and it only comes along once. I had to take it. This Saturday will get me a step closer to accomplishing my dream of playing in the NFL."
Borum, a 6-7, 341 pound offensive tackle and White, a 6-0, 230 pound linebacker, have more modest dreams. Both players will be delighted if they're selected at all. Scouts have had their eyes on Borum for a couple of years, which bodes well for his chances of having his name called in one of the later rounds.
And White, who missed three games in his senior season after breaking his arm, put himself back into the picture by putting together a surprisingly impressive workout on campus in February. Running at a weight of 230 pounds, the Dunn native posted a sub-4.5 time in the 40.
White's work ethic, intelligence and leadership skills could also enhance his chances of being drafted, or at the very least, being signed as a free agent.
