Kenny Robinson Jr. had a tough decision to make this past year.

After getting kicked out of West Virginia University before his junior season, due to a student conduct violation, his options were: transfer to a lower-level college program or join the revived XFL.

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With his mother battling cancer and financial issues, Robinson decided to bet on himself in the XFL, and that wager has paid off in several ways.

The spring football league enabled Robinson to provide financial support for his mother while still allowing him the opportunity to pursue his college degree. The XFL also provided Robinson with a platform to show off his skills to NFL scouts.

“Honestly, it was the best decision overall,” Robinson told NJ Advance Media earlier this week.

Robinson, who produced 84 tackles and seven interceptions in just two years at West Virginia, immediately made an impact during his rookie season in the XFL.

The Wilkinsburg, Pa. native collected 21 tackles and two interceptions in just five games with the St. Louis BattleHawks.

The XFL, like other sports leagues, was forced to shutter its doors in the middle of its revival season after just five weeks of action due to the coronavirus pandemic in March.

While about a dozen former XFL players have signed with NFL squads during the offseason, Robinson is still awaiting his turn, as he was the only NFL Draft-eligible player in the XFL.

He now has to wait until draft weekend to join the next level. Still, that XFL experience has provided an unparalleled advantage for the prospect, as he is the only eligible player with professional experience in the selection process.

“I feel like (the XFL) gave me a great opportunity to learn a lot of things from the other guys on the team,” Robinson said. “Things on the business side and just how to always keep working. There’s no limit to getting better.”

Former NFL scout Jim Nagy, who worked for the Patriots, Chiefs, Seahawks and Packers during his time in the league, believes Robinson’s XFL experience puts him in a great spot entering the draft process. Unlike the rest of his peers, Robinson played throughout the spring and was able to provide a unique résumé for teams to study.

“It helps him tremendously in the sense that you’re getting as close to an apples-to-apples comparison as you can possibly get,” Nagy told NJ Advance Media. “You’re seeing him on the same field as a bunch of guys who have played in the NFL.”

Nagy, who serves as the Executive Director of the Senior Bowl, says scouts are able to study Robinson while they are looking for XFL players to add during the pre-draft process. For example, if a team is researching a tight end or a wide receiver, scouts and executives will get to see how Robinson matched up against those subjects.

“To see him on the field against those guys is very helpful,” Nagy said.

The former scout adds that Robinson’s work with BattleHawks defensive backs coach Tim Lewis is invaluable. Lewis, a former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, served as an NFL position coach for more than 20 years. He is well-connected in the league, which should help scouts and coaches with gaining information about the 21-year-old defensive back.

“When you turn the videotape on, you can see the guy can play the game,” Lewis said. “People want to know ‘Who is this guy?’ and I can just tell you he’s a young guy that is growing into the pro game mentally but physically he’s blessed with pro skills.”

Robinson has garnered interest from several teams over the past few weeks. While teams have been forced to settle for phone conversations in place of player visits and in-person interviews, Robinson has still kept pretty busy despite the social distancing.

Robinson has received phone calls from teams like the Eagles, Jaguars, Rams, Chargers and Chiefs. The calls have revolved around his background, from his West Virginia departure to his XFL exploits.

“I want teams to know that I’m mature and ready to contribute right away,” Robinson said. “I’m focused and I can handle everything that comes with it.”

So far, scouts have given him a lot of positive feedback. Robinson says scouts believe he was given a “low-key head start” on the draft process because of his XFL work.

“Just mentally, I’m ahead because I’ve learned from NFL coaches,” Robinson said.

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The XFL’s abrupt closing actually helped Robinson as well. While he would have liked to have finished the season, the extra time off has enabled his body to recover from the spring-league action.

He’s still conditioned from playing spring ball, but he also doesn’t have the wear-and-tear that would have come with a deep playoff run by the BattleHawks.

For now, Robinson awaits his turn in the NFL, knowing that he put himself in the best position possible ahead of the draft. Last year’s bet has already paid off, so now he’s hoping to parlay that wager into a promising NFL career.

Lewis believes the future is bright for his soon-to-be former pupil.

“The sky is the limit for him,” Lewis said. “If he wants to become great, he will become great, and I think that’s the direction he’s headed.”

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