A former Penn State defender is up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Thursday morning, the NFL announced that Chop Robinson is up for the award along with Cooper DeJean (Eagles), Braden Fiske (Rams), Quinyon Mitchell (Eagles) and Jared Verse (Rams).
Robinson lived up to his first-round draft pick status in Year 1.
Miami Dolphins Select Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson No. 21 Overall in 2024 NFL Draft
He ended the season with ย 26 tackles (16 solo), six sacks, eight tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits and four passes defensed. He didnโt get his first sack until Week 9 but ended with the second-most sacks amongst rookies, and his 14 quarterback his were also the second most.
CHOP AT PENN STATE
Chop Robinson gets set to rush the passer.
One of Penn Stateโs two team MVPs alongside Olu Fashanu in 2023, Robinson transferred after his freshman season at Maryland. His career took off with Penn State. In 22 games at PSU, Robinson recorded 41 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Two of his forced fumbles came in 2023, along with 7.5 tackles-for-loss.
2022 was statistically Robinsonโs most complete season, and it ended with a 35-21 Rose Bowl victory against Utah. Robinson set career highs in tackles (26), tackles-for-loss (10), sacks (5.5) and passes defended (two). He registered 1.5 sacks and three tackles in the win over the Utes, one of the most memorable of his career.
Penn State reached two New Yearโs Six bowls during Robinsonโs time and had a 21-5 overall record. Overall, not too shabby.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Jaylen Reed and Chop Robinson share an embrace. (Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now)
So what chances does Robinson have of winning Rookie of the Year? Per FanDuel Sportsbook, theyโre +4000, good for third behind Mitchell and Verse. Verse is the odds-on favorite at -4000.
The winner will be announced Thursday, Feb. 6 at Saenger Theatre in New Orleans three nights before the Super Bowl. The NFL Awards show is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. and can be seen on FOX and the NFL Network.
