Jammie Robinson Has Chip On Shoulder After Being Snubbed In 2023 NFL Draft

Coming into the weekend, former Florida State star Jammie Robinson had expectations of being a day two selection. After all, he stood out in the Senior Bowl, dominated the on-field portion of the NFL Combine, and put together a solid showing at his Pro Day in March. 

There were also a ton of franchises that expressed interest in Robinson leading up to the draft. The Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Arizona Cardinals all brought him for a top-30 visit.

That's why the Georgia native was disappointed when he fell all the way until the No. 145 overall pick in the fifth round. When the Carolina Panthers called his name, Robinson was all business. He's ready to control the next chapter as he transitions to the professional level.

"Well, I know that I was better than a lot of guys that got picked. But honestly, you know, I can't control that. I can't control what happened," Robinson said following the draft. "All I can control is the next chapter. You know, the next chapter is about to be a great ride for me and my family, you know, and the fans as well, because I plan on being in Carolina for my whole career."

"Like, Carolina is not a bad place at all. I'm from South Georgia. You know, Carolina is probably like a two-hour flight, something like that, not even that probably. I was just at South Carolina as well. And I feel like I'm going to be there for a minute," Robinson continued. "Just like I was saying, you know, I felt salty, not salty, but I've been hurt because, you know, I had expectations. The draft, there's no one who knows what's going to happen. So it was all just like, you know, you had your nerves up just sitting there waiting on your phone to ring and not knowing if it's going to ring or when it's going to ring. So, you know, but aye, I'm just ready to work. I got a lot to show. That all I can say."

Florida State defeated rival Miami 45-3 in November. One of the most memorable plays in the blowout that will be replayed over the years was Robinson's statement-making throw down of Hurricanes' quarterback Jacurri Brown. He's not the biggest player between the lines but he's got a chip on his shoulder.  

"Miami, what I did to the quarterback. When I just threw him down. I feel like, like I have been upset since yesterday I ain't going to lie to you. I have been upset about just this whole thing, but I know this pick is going to be the best pick in the draft. Carolina Panthers, ya'll know I am going to come in and compete for a spot, and I am just going to be a team guy at the end of the day also," Robinson said. "I know it's not 144 guys better than me, but I mean, it is what it is. The chips done fell and I got that chip on my shoulder too so. Hey, I'm just ready to work. Like I said, I feel like the play from Miami for sure symbolizes me just showing that I am a dog. I'm probably not the biggest on the field. But aye, I'm a dog."

Panthers head coach Frank Reich holds Robinson in high regard and believes that he can contribute in a multitude of ways on defense and on special teams. His competitive instinct and character were values that stood out to Carolina.

"I mean first of all he is just a tough competitor. A little bit more in the (Jeremy) Chinn thing. Heavy hitter, in the box a little bit. But listen I don't want to put him into a box just yet. We want to get to know him even more once he gets here," Reich said after the draft. "He is the kind of guy, high character, tough, edgy, has an edge to him. Great special teams value. So, find a role. We talk a lot about finding roles for players, then be a star in your role so I think this is the kind of guy who's going to come in and compete and he is going to create a role for himself at some level."

Robinson is ready to slot in where the Panthers want to put him at. He's focused on making plays and trying to stack up wins rather than where he's at on the field.

"I'm a team guy, so it's been playing in different situations where guys get hurt and I'll have to go down on like a Wednesday practice and be down there and compete at the nickel position," Robinson said. "Honestly, I'm a team guy and I don't care what position I'm playing as long as I'm on the field out there making plays for my team and just helping the team get wins. That's what I'm about."

Special teams have been a priority for Robinson in Tallahassee over the last two years due to his former head coach, Mike Norvell. He understands the importance of that phase of the game due to the successes and failures that he experienced at the college level.

"That's the main thing I feel like when it comes to just the game. Special teams, they change how the game turns out. I remember plenty of plays in college, like when we played against Clemson, the guy had a big return for like 40 yards in the second half, and that turned the whole game around," Robinson said. "I always feel like the best guys should be playing special teams just because that's how the game goes. The best guys should be on special teams because those are the crucial moments. Anything can happen on special teams."

There is a growing presence of Seminoles in Carolina. Robinson is the second former Florida State star to be drafted by the franchise since 2019. He joins Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Burns on the Panthers. Burns played at FSU from 2016-18 before being drafted in the first round. Robinson first learned about him on the video board in Doak Campell Stadium and is excited to team up.

"The reason I know about him is because when I got to Florida State, I was only there two years, but you know when the games are going and it shows highlights of NFL players on Sundays from like the past week? I always saw him on there getting a sack and crazy stuff. He's always making plays. That's mainly how I know about him," Robinson said. "I did some research, so I knew he's a great player, getting a sack every game and stuff. That's a dog. I know that's a guy I can look to the right and to the left and know he's going to do his job and he's going to get it done. That's what it's all about – just being able to trust in guys. I know for sure that he's a guy you can trust. He makes plays. Every week when I was playing a game at Doak Campbell, they would show his highlights up there and he was making a sack almost every week. That's how I definitely caught on to Brian Burns for sure."

Robinson spent his final two seasons at Florida State but he began his career at South Carolina. That's where he crossed paths with Panthers' star Jaycee Horn, who reached out shortly after he was drafted. The two played a pair of years together with the Gamecocks prior to Horn going pro.

"Jaycee called me as soon as I got off the phone. I've been knowing bro, and we've been locked in since I was a senior in high school. I was coming on visits and he was hosting me. It's just all crazy how the world is and we're back on the same team," Robinson said. "I already know when I get there he's going to put me on beat – what it is, what it ain't, what I need to do, just learning the playbook and stuff like that. That's another guy I can say I was on the field with him when I was a freshman, and he was a year ahead of me. He was out there making calls and making checks, and I was out there with him doing the same thing, competing with him. I already know he's a dog, and I'm a dog for sure, too, so we're going to definitely click up together. We're going to turn it up down there, for sure."

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound safety admitted that he didn't watch a ton of the NFL while he was in college. With that being said, he's excited to start building chemistry with some of his teammates as they try to bring Carolina back to the postseason.

"Well, I know Jeremy (Chinn). You know Jaycee. But I am not even going to lie to you, I am a college player. So when I was in college, I never really watch the NFL a lot. I watched it a little bit, but I am not too familiar with a lot of guys, but I know that I am going to a new team and I know that I am a brother at the end of the day," Robinson said. "So I'm just ready to get know everyone, just be able to help and receive the help and receive all the feedback that all my teammates got for me, you know what I'm saying? I know everyone is going to be a professional and all, so I am going to handle my business like a professional and I'm going to get to know my brothers and we are going to go out there and go to work with each other, and just get some wins for sure. Bring all the wins back to Carolina."

While landing a steal such as Robinson in the fifth round was a big pick up, Carolina's most momumental move of the draft was selecting former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick. He's looking forward to joining forces with the Heisman winner.

"I knew that was going to happen. I knew he was going to be the first pick. He's a great quarterback, great leader, great guy. I mean, the winning speaks for itself when he was at Alabama. You know, he's not the biggest. But guess what? He's a dog, you know what I'm saying? If you're a dog, the dogs will last," Robinson said. "That's all I know. The dogs gone last. I haven't had any injuries in college. You know, I'm healthy. I'm ready to go. Like, I'm ready to go and I know for sure I've got a lot in store. I got a lot in store. This is a dream come true for me. I'm ready to get started, man. Just keep pounding, man. I'm just ready to keep pounding."

During his two years with the Seminoles after transferring from South Carolina, Robinson totaled 183 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and five interceptions in 25 appearances (all starts). He concluded his college career as a back-to-back First-Team All-ACC selection at safety and was the first Florida State defensive back to earn the honor since Jalen Ramsey in 2014-15.