Brian Robison

Brian Gale Robison (born April 23, 1983) is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns. He was drafted with the third selection of the fourth round (102nd overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft.

High school career
Robison attended Splendora High School in Texas, and earned All-State honors in both football and track and field. He was a four-year starter at defensive tackle (freshman) and linebacker (final three years). He registered 66 tackles for losses and 28 sacks in his final three seasons. As a senior, he earned Second-team All-State Class 3A and First-team All-District honors, registering 98 tackles, 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage, eight sacks and four pass deflections. He was Honorable mention All-State and first-team All-District selection as a junior after posted 121 tackles, 14 stops for losses, eight sacks and seven pass break-ups for a defense that allowed only 101 points in 2000. As a sophomore he had 125 tackles, 32 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 12 sacks, 12 pass deflections and an interception as a sophomore. In addition he played some running back (averaged 11 yards per carry and scored three times) and tight end during his career

In track, he was one of the state's top discus and shot putters, winning both events at the district, regional and state meets as a senior. Robison also played basketball (forward) for four years and baseball (pitcher) for two years and was an Honor Roll student, being named Four-year Academic All-District selection and was Second-team Academic All-State honors as a senior. Robison had his number 40 jersey retired by Splendora High School in September, 2004.

College career
Robison played for the University of Texas at Austin. He was part of a Texas recruiting class, which contained future NFL players Rodrique Wright, Justin Blalock, Aaron Ross, Kasey Studdard, Lyle Sendlein, David Thomas, Selvin Young, and Vince Young. This class has been cited as one of the strongest college recruiting classes ever. He was a member of their 2005 national championship team.During his career at the University of Texas, Brian Robison was ranked 12th in school history with 41 tackles for a loss, he tied a season record four blocked kicks in 2003, and six blocked kicks in his career. Both are records in Longhorn history. Robison also has 181 total tackles, with 106 solo tackles and 15 sacks. He was a Liberal Arts major, and was on the University of Texas Honor Roll. Brian did earn his degree before being drafted to Minnesota.

Robison red-shirted in 2002 and in 2003, Robison played all 13 games at Middle Linebacker, starting in three of those games and registered 38 tackles, 22 solo, one sack, and four stops for losses. In addition, Brian had 14 quarterback rushes and caused on fumble. Brian also had one deflected pass, and tied a school record with four blocked kicks.

In Brian's 2004 campaign, he was an honorable mention on the Associated Press All-Big 12 Conference. He started all 12 games at right defensive end, and participated on special teams. Robison recorded 48 tackles, 27 solo, 1.5 sacks, and a two yard interception. He finished second on the team with 14 stops for minus 26 yards, and 18 quarterback pressures.

Robison then entered the 2005 season, and started in 12 games at right defensive end. Robison recorded a career high 58 tackles, 35 solo, and led the team in quarterback sacks with seven. He also had 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Robison was credited with 10 quarterback pressures, four pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. Brian also blocked one kick, recovered two fumbles. Robison was named First-team All-Big 12 Conference by Austin-American Statesman, adding Second-team Honors from the Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, and Fort-Worth Star Telegram and Honorable Mention from the leagues coaches and Associated Press.

In Robison's final season (2006), he was Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference, and battled through a rash of injuries, but still managed to start in 10 of 12 games at right defensive end. Robison suffered a deep right knee and patella tendon bruise, and a quadriceps muscle strain, that sat him out for two games. Even with all his injuries, he still managed to get 37 tackles, 22 solo, 5.5 sacks, and nine stops for a loss. He also added 15 quarterback hurries, three deflected passes and a blocked kick. Robison even played one game while battling pneumonia.

Robison was also stellar Track and Field athlete. In 2004, he was earned the title of Big 12 Champion in shot put in Manhattan, KS. Two years later he finished second in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in shot put.

Pre-draft
Robison ran 4.67 in the 40-yard dash, posted a 450-pound bench press and 345-pound power clean at his campus workout at the University of Texas.

Minnesota Vikings
Robison was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round (102nd overall) and still plays for them. He was one of seven Longhorns selected by professional football teams in the 2007 NFL Draft. The others were Michael Griffin (number 19 overall), Aaron Ross (number 20 overall), Justin Blalock (number 39 overall), Tim Crowder (number 56 overall), Tarell Brown (number 147 overall), Kasey Studdard (number 183 overall). Lyle Sendlein and Selvin Young were not drafted but signed with NFL teams as free agents.

Robison appeared in all 16 games of his rookie season and made five starts. He recorded a pair of sacks during his professional debut and had five tackles against the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

The 2011 season was a break-out year for Robison. He started all 16 games at defensive end and recorded a career-high in tackles (44), sacks (8) and forced fumbles (3). His season is perhaps best remembered for kicking Packers offensive lineman T. J. Lang in the groin during the game on October 23 during a field goal try. Robison was fined $20,000 for the kick.