Mike Tomlin Praises Kenny Robinson After Big Day at Steelers Training Camp

Former Mountaineer Kenny Robinson appears to be making the most of his opportunity during training camp with the Steelers. He actually stood out so much on Sunday that it prompted Mike Tomlin to compliment the WVU product while speaking with the media, including Nick Farabaugh with our partners at Steelers Now.

Tomlin said he appreciated Robinson’s post making ability. “I was appreciative of the playmaking from Kenny Robinson today, another guy who had an opportunity to rise up because of the short lines,” said Tomlin.

His comments came after Robinson recorded two interceptions while competing in 7 shots.

Robinson was asked how it feels to be called out in a positive way by Tomlin. ”It feels good to have praise from the head coach. Coach Tomlin has about known me my whole life. He’s watched me grow up and gave me an opportunity. I’m thankful for that,” he said.

Robinson, who is from Wilkinsburg in the Pittsburgh area, signed the Steelers to a reserve/future contract for the 2023 season back in January. Doing so allowed Robinson a chance to impress Tomlin and company at training camp.

Kenny Pickett wasn’t the only ‘Kenny’ to get mentored today. Kenny Robinson legitimately had some calls to sign autographs (including a WVU jersey) and got mentioned by Mike Tomlin for his playmaking pic.twitter.com/kenZWr4ir6

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 30, 2023

A 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety, Robinson left West Virginia early after the 2019 season and played in the spring of 2020 with the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL.

After his XFL season, Robinson was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Robinson did not mark the Panthers’ 53-man roster coming out of training camp, but hung around on the practice squad and ended up playing nine games in 2020 and 10 more in 2021.

Robinson had three separate stints on the Carolina practice squad this season, but was not called up to play in any games. In 19 total games, Robinson has 18 tackles. He played over 50% of Carolina’s special teams snaps in games he played.

Robinson played two seasons at West Virginia, and was a two-time All-Big 12 honoree. He started as a true freshman in 2017 and was the sixth-leading tackler on the Mountaineer with 46 stops. The also had three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

In 2018, he was a first-team all conference and was second in the league in interceptions with four. He was also second on the WVU team with 77 total tackles.

In a related story, Robinson details feeling the love of being back home in Pittsburgh with the Steelers.