Iconic Penn State football WR joins new NFL roster

Two weeks removed from the 2024 NFL Draft, we’ve watched as the most recent Nittany Lion draft class and undrafted free agents have settled in with their new professional squads. But there are plenty of other Penn State football lettermen moving on the NFL free agency market, as well. On Thursday, one of the most prominent wide receivers in recent memory for the Nittany Lions, Allen Robinson, signed with the New York Giants. The Giants will be the fifth team Robinson will suit up for in his decade-long NFL career.

Allen Robinson signs with the New York Giants

Per the reporting of The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov Thursday morning, the New York Giants are expected to sign Penn State football great Allen Robinson. Robinson most recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The #Giants are signing veteran WR Allen Robinson to a deal. pic.twitter.com/3kpvHuCLcN

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 9, 2024

At Penn State, Robinson caught 177 passes for 2,479 yards and 17 touchdowns. Some of Robinson’s best games came against Nittany Lions’ biggest opponents, like Michigan and Ohio State.

Of course, Robinson’s career-defining moment with the Nittany Lions was the 36-yard reception down the sideline from Christian Hackenberg, which led to a game-tying score in the four-overtime thriller against the Wolverines in 2013. Against Ohio State in the same season, Robinson scored an impressive 65-yard touchdown in a 173-yard performance. 

October 26, 2013: Allen Robinson reverses field 65 yards for a TD in a 63-14 blowout loss against Ohio State pic.twitter.com/DmBfyLbPS2

— Penn State Play a Day (@PSUPlayADay) December 22, 2023

Ultimately, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Allen Robinson with the 61st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In his first full season in 2015, Robinson recorded 80 catches for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, enough for a Pro Bowl selection.

After four years with the Jaguars, Robinson signed with the Chicago Bears, where he put up two 1,000-yard seasons in four years. Robinson signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal with the Rams in 2022. Robinson’s tenure in Los Angeles came to a halt when he was traded to Pittsburgh after the 2022 season. With a mere 280 receiving yards in 2023, Robinson was cut by the Steelers. 

Now signed by the New York Giants, Allen Robinson will join young receivers Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Jalin Hyatt. He will also be paired with veteran receivers like Darius Slayton, Isaiah McKenzie, and Miles Boykin. Having additional veteran experience in a young, inexperienced wide receiver room could prove to be valuable for Big Blue. In addition, Robinson will be joining another former Nittany Lion in rookie tight end and third-round pick Theo Johnson.

Other NFL roster moves for Penn State football lettermen

Allen Robinson’s signing with the New York Giants did not generate as much buzz as another former Penn State football star. Running back Saquon Barkley shocked everyone when he signed a three-year, $37.7 million deal with the Giants’ rival Philadelphia Eagles.

Barkley had multiple Penn State football teammates who were also on the move. Safety Nick Scott signed a deal with the Carolina Panthers, tight end Mike Gesicki signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and wide receiver K.J. Hamler signed with the Buffalo Bills.

Then there are the 2024 NFL Draft picks. Olu Fashanu was drafted with the 11th overall pick by the New York Jets. Not long after, Chop Robinson was drafted with the 21st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins. Caedan Wallace, Adisa Isaac, Theo Johnson, Hunter Nourzad, Daequan Hardy, and Kalen King were all drafted in later rounds as well.

All this movement means that it will take time to find your favorite Nittany Lions on NFL rosters in the fall. But, isn’t that part of the fun?

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