At 5-foot-9 180-pounds, former RedHawks WR Ryne Robinson is considered an undersized receiver by NFL standards, but this small receiver has big-play ability. He finished the season tied for third in the nation in receptions with 91 and was considered one of the games' most dangerous return-men. Robinson racked up 1,178 yards receiving and eight touchdowns for RedHawks this season. So why were teams overlooking him at the start of draft process?

One reason I'm sure is the RedHawks' dismal 2-10 season, but Robinson did his part showing up when it counted most, in big games. He had nine receptions for 144 yards against Northwestern, nine receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue, and 10 receptions for 180 yards and touchdown against Western Michigan. Yet and still his performance went unnoticed by NFL scouts. It wasn't until the combine in February did Robinson gain the attention he deserved from scouts.

Robinson put up some impressive numbers at the combine and proved to scouts that he does indeed belong among the elite receivers entering the draft. He ranked in the Top 10 in nearly every category while at the combine. One of the things that scouts were questioning coming into the workout was his speed. Scouts had in their mind that Robinson was a 4.6 guy running the 40-yard dash, so when he ran a 4.47 it caught many of them off guard.

Robinson said that he is looking to improve on his 40-time. During that time he said had put on 11-pounds of muscle in five weeks and was unable to maintain his speed. Robinson feels that he could run somewhere in the high 4.3's minus some muscle mass.

After testing well at the combine, Robinson admitted that he came into the pre-draft workout with a chip on his shoulder.

"I had a big chip on my shoulder," Robinson said. "It was something that I thought about throughout the training leading up to the combine. I went into it with the mindset that I have something to prove to everybody."

That he did.

A number of NFL teams have expressed their interest in the versatile receiver since the combine. Indianapolis, Kansas City and Detroit have all made trips to the university in recent weeks to work Robinson out. He is also scheduled to visit Baltimore and St. Louis within the next two weeks.

According to a league source, members of the Colts and Rams organization are enamored with Robinson's ability as a receiver and his threat on special teams. The Rams are hard pressed to find replacements for Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis after losing both receivers during free agency. Robinson has a similar playing to McDonald and Curtis, and would be a perfect fit.

The 411

Robinson is a gifted receiver with good hands, quick feet and has the ability to make the first man miss. He's very elusive and is a great runner after the catch. For a guy his size, he's fearless going across the middle and has the speed to run underneath the deep balls. Robinson is very athletic and shows outstanding balance and body control when the ball is in his hands. The one area for improvement would be route running.

Bottom line is that Robinson has helped himself tremendously during these workouts and is movin' on up the draft board like the Jeffersons.