MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Chop Robinson was introduced to the media Friday afternoon.
Here are five things to know about the No. 21 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft:
Who is Chop Robinson?
The 6-foot-3, 254-pound edge rusher began his college career at Maryland in 2021. He transferred to Penn State in 2022 and started 10 games at defensive end for the Nittany Lions in 2023.
His defensive coordinator was former Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz.
"I was just able to learn from him, listen to him, be coachable and then help me get to where I am today," Robinson said Friday.
Robinson was a first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection last season, finishing with 15 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
How did he get his name?
His birth name is Demeioun, but he was nicknamed "Pork Chop" as a baby, weighing in at 14 pounds.
"When I got to middle school, that's when I started to slim up," Robinson said.
Eventually, his nickname was shortened to just "Chop."
"Got older, slimmed down, took the pork off, kept the chop," he said.
How many siblings does he have?
Robinson is one of 10 children – six boys and four girls. He is the third-youngest of all his siblings.
But he's also experienced the pain of losing a brother and sister.
"I knew that, like, no matter what adversity is thrown my way, nothing can make me feel worse than me losing my two siblings," he told reporters.
His sister died when he was in the first grade.
"I was actually in my room when I found out that it happened," he recalled. "My mom was just telling me that she went to sleep, and I didn't understand because I was so young."
He was a freshman in high school when his older brother died.
"I was actually playing a game and then I heard my mom screaming when they came in and told her, so I just ran upstairs and then seeing the tears and heard the news," Robinson remembered.
He said it's their memory that keeps him going as he's tried to turn a tragedy into a positive.
"I'm doing it for them two," Robinson said. "They keep me motivated every single day, and that's who I'm doing it for."
What's the chain all about?
Miami fans probably noticed that chain around Robinson's neck that would make Mr. T envious. The glistening gold chain says "Chop."
"Yeah, so it has my name and then it has the ax, which is like my sack celebration that I use," Robinson explained. "So, I just basically find the detail and put it in there, put it in the mix."
How will he fit?
The rookie is poised to be a starter given the lack of depth at edge rusher.
Veteran linebackers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips suffered season-ending injuries last season, so if they're slow to return, it's almost a foregone conclusion that Robinson could fill the void on opening day.
