MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Depending on how things turn out for Vince McMahon’s rebooted XFL, former West Virginia safety Kenny Robinson may either end up being viewed as a pioneer or a footnote.
According to The Athletic’s Andy Staples, Robinson is the first player with college eligibility remaining to enter the inaugural XFL Draft, which will be held Oct. 15-16.
Robinson’s case is a unique one, so there might not necessarily be an exodus of players who eventually follow in his footsteps. Robinson was dismissed from the program in June due to an academic violation of WVU’s student code of conduct. Because transfers need to be in good academic standing in order to be eligible at their new schools, Robinson was unable to go anywhere else to play at the college level this fall.
His opportunity will instead come in the fledgling league where former WVU athletic director Oliver Luck serves as commissioner.
“Now they can see how I hold up mentally and physically,” Robinson told Staples. “They’ll see me playing against guys who have actually been in the NFL and done it.”
The new-look XFL will be a spring league that kicks off the weekend after the Super Bowl, giving Robinson an opportunity to showcase his skill prior to the NFL Draft.