SAN ANTONIO — The journey to the NFL draft is rarely a straight line.
"When I think back on how I handled it, I think I handled it well," former Judson star Alton Robinson says via FaceTime.
Robinson, a dominant defensive force, originally signed with Texas A&M during his senior year of high school.
He would never set foot on the College Station campus.
"In the weeks and months coming to it, when I finally figured out I wasn't going to Texas A&M, it was sporadic, in a sense, trying to find somewhere to go," Robinson said.
Roughly two weeks after National Signing Day, Robinson faced a robbery felony charge. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in jail. Due to the legal troubles, Robinson's scholarship was taken away.
With such a short turnaround, Robinson elected to leave the State of Texas and head to Northeast Oklahoma A&M, a junior college. He would go on to record double-digit sacks his freshman year.
Then, in 2017, all pending charges were dropped in his case. The slate was wiped clean.
"It might have developed a little bit of a chip (on my shoulder), but I don't know," Robinson said. "I just love the game so much that regardless of the circumstances – and I think this is something Judson bred me to believe – no matter what, you put the ball down and we can play wherever."
He took that Rocket mentality to heart, moving all the way to upstate New York to play at Syracuse.
"First time on the east coast. First time seeing snow," Robinson said, laughing.
The surroundings were different, but his ability to rough up the quarterback stayed the same.
In three seasons, Robinson recorded 19 sacks for the Orange. It is why he will hear his name announced in the 2020 NFL Draft.
"I feel like what I bring to a team is a relentless competitor that always strives to get better," Robinson said.
The Judson product is not afraid of adversity.
"You put your mind to it, you can do it. That's for anything throughout life, whether that's coronavirus, football, basketball or track," Robinson said.
His path towards the NFL was windier than expected, but no matter what happens in the future, all signs always point home.
"Rocket pride runs deep. To be part of something so special, you have to be a part of it to understand."