Is Alexander Robinson the most underrated player in the nation?

**cyclones500** · 08-11-2010, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by CPRsavedMYlife

Right now, he's the best RB in the state, and definitely one of the best in the Big XII. But outside of Iowa, it seems like he's relatively unknown.

Thoughts?

I hope he stays under the radar until we've at least reached the 9-win threshold.

**tm3308** · 08-11-2010, 12:42 AM

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a big Alexander Robinson fan (even as a Hawk fan). But just because no one really seems to know about Robinson outside of Iowa doesn't mean he's the most underrated. Because you know people in Oregon or South Carolina are probably saying the same thing about a player in their state. If people from other states are seemingly incapable of knowing about Robinson, then we here in Iowa are no exception, and probably don't know about some guy from another state.

That said, Robinson IS a very underrated back. I could see the Doak if he stays healthy and performs at the same or better clip from last year. But he's got no shot at the Heisman. Tebow I think is the only guy to win the award for a team that lost 3 games or more. Larry Fitzgerald didn't win it when he was clearly the best player in the country, because Pitt was 8-4. Now in the run down of ISU's schedule, I had 8-4 pegged as the VERY best record they could pull out, and that required some upsets. anywhere between 5-7 and 7-5 is more realistic. And guys who play for a team with a record like that don't win the Heisman, even if their performance warrants it.

**heitclone** · 08-11-2010, 07:55 AM

We all know Arob can be as productive as any back in the country, what he needs is a breakout game against a good opponent. He needs a 100yd 2-3TD game against an Iowa or Utah to get his name on the map. Sadly our offense can hamper his production because of the threat of the running QB. I mean look at any high profile back from the last decade or so, almost all play in a traditional pro style offense. RB's in the spread have to share carries with the QB based on what the defense gives them, it works pretty well for us but can limit Arob's touches.

**heitclone** · 08-11-2010, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by tm3308

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a big Alexander Robinson fan (even as a Hawk fan). But just because no one really seems to know about Robinson outside of Iowa doesn't mean he's the most underrated. Because you know people in Oregon or South Carolina are probably saying the same thing about a player in their state. If people from other states are seemingly incapable of knowing about Robinson, then we here in Iowa are no exception, and probably don't know about some guy from another state.

That said, Robinson IS a very underrated back. I could see the Doak if he stays healthy and performs at the same or better clip from last year. But he's got no shot at the Heisman. Tebow I think is the only guy to win the award for a team that lost 3 games or more. Larry Fitzgerald didn't win it when he was clearly the best player in the country, because Pitt was 8-4. Now in the run down of ISU's schedule, I had 8-4 pegged as the VERY best record they could pull out, and that required some upsets. anywhere between 5-7 and 7-5 is more realistic. And guys who play for a team with a record like that don't win the Heisman, even if their performance warrants it.

But they aren't talking about a guy coming off of a 1000yd season who has been a major contributer since he was a frosh.

**CTTB78** · 08-11-2010, 08:24 AM

Please, this should be the last place I have to read about Hawkeye players being underrated. Hawkeye fans who have never attend a game in Iowa City provide all the hype we need.

**Al_4_State** · 08-11-2010, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by geburgess

Eh, maybe 2nd most underrated RB. My most underrated players are (in order):

1. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M. He's the one reason I think ATM can be a surprise Big XII South winner. Underrated because he doesn't play for Texas, so #2 team in the state (kinda like A-Rob & ISU I guess)

2. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa. I dislike UofI, but he's damn good. Best DE in the nation in my eyes. Underrated because he plays for Iowa, not a big national following despite seeming huge here in Iowa.

3. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh. Disgusting stats (1799 yards rushing last season), plays in a pro-style offense built for the run, big strong back. Underrated because he was a true freshman last year.

4. Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri. Another year of building a good relationship with QB Blaine Gabbert so they will be more in-tune (think McCoy - Shipley these past two years) Plays in one of the more wide open offenses in the nation. Underrated because Mizzou isn't that big of a national team, sometimes not even that big in their own state with all the pro sports teams.

That's a solid list, but I might have to flip Danario Alexander for Dion Lewis's team mate, Jon Baldwin. That guy is a straight up STUD.

If Pitt finds a way to run the table, they'll be a legit National Title contender. I think this Pitt squad is one of the best to come out of the Big East in a long time, and better than their #15 ranking. Murderer's Row schedule, though. Non-con = @Utah, Miami, and @ Notre Dame (as well as 2 pushovers). Conference road games = @USF, @Cincy and @ UConn. Not quite as bad as ours, but one of the tougher one's I've seen.

**CycloneNC2015** · 08-11-2010, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by geburgess

Eh, maybe 2nd most underrated RB. My most underrated players are (in order):

1. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M. He's the one reason I think ATM can be a surprise Big XII South winner. Underrated because he doesn't play for Texas, so #2 team in the state (kinda like A-Rob & ISU I guess)

2. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa. I dislike UofI, but he's damn good. Best DE in the nation in my eyes. Underrated because he plays for Iowa, not a big national following despite seeming huge here in Iowa.

3. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh. Disgusting stats (1799 yards rushing last season), plays in a pro-style offense built for the run, big strong back. Underrated because he was a true freshman last year.

4. Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri. Another year of building a good relationship with QB Blaine Gabbert so they will be more in-tune (think McCoy - Shipley these past two years) Plays in one of the more wide open offenses in the nation. Underrated because Mizzou isn't that big of a national team, sometimes not even that big in their own state with all the pro sports teams.

How do you figure Jerrod Johnson is underrated? ESPN picked him as the #1 player in the Big12.

Adrian Clayborn being underrated is even more confusing considering he is on most defensive award watchlists and there are several pundits comparing him to Suh.

**The_Architect** · 08-11-2010, 09:49 AM

Umm, didnt Denario Alexander go pro?

**CycloneNC2015** · 08-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by The_Architect

Umm, didnt Denario Alexander go pro?

He went undrafted due to a knee injury, i guess that is why he is considered underrated

**CPRsavedMYlife** · 08-11-2010, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by geburgess

Eh, maybe 2nd most underrated RB. My most underrated players are (in order):

1. Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M. He's the one reason I think ATM can be a surprise Big XII South winner. Underrated because he doesn't play for Texas, so #2 team in the state (kinda like A-Rob & ISU I guess)

2. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa. I dislike UofI, but he's damn good. Best DE in the nation in my eyes. Underrated because he plays for Iowa, not a big national following despite seeming huge here in Iowa.

3. Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh. Disgusting stats (1799 yards rushing last season), plays in a pro-style offense built for the run, big strong back. Underrated because he was a true freshman last year.

4. Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri. Another year of building a good relationship with QB Blaine Gabbert so they will be more in-tune (think McCoy - Shipley these past two years) Plays in one of the more wide open offenses in the nation. Underrated because Mizzou isn't that big of a national team, sometimes not even that big in their own state with all the pro sports teams.

How can the Orange Bowl MVP be underrated?

How can the 3rd leading rusher in 2009 be underrated?

And, Denario Alexander isn't even at Mizzou anymore.

**heitclone** · 08-11-2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneNC2015

How do you figure Jerrod Johnson is underrated? ESPN picked him as the #1 player in the Big12.

Adrian Clayborn being underrated is even more confusing considering he is on most defensive award watchlists and there are several pundits comparing him to Suh.

yea if anything you could say Johnson was the most OVER rated player. He's getting a lot of hype this year. I'm not saying he wont' have a good year, but he's the ESPN posterboy it seems this year. Add Clayborn and you have 2 guys who may be top 10 picks, it seems like plenty of people are aware of their talents.

**jdoggivjc** · 08-11-2010, 11:01 AM

We all know how good ARob is. The problem is he was injured too often last season to prove what he's capable of, so to the rest of the nation he's an "also ran". I think to truly be considered underrated you have to have sizeable stats that are going unnoticed nationally. We all know ARob's stats were impacted by injury. I just don't think the national media cares - they're looking at the numbers only. I just think there's a difference between underrated and discounted.

**JustRedman** · 08-11-2010, 11:05 AM

Sims is more underrated that ARob, IMO.

**tm3308** · 08-11-2010, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by heitclone

But they aren't talking about a guy coming off of a 1000yd season who has been a major contributer since he was a frosh.

Again, if we don't know who it is that they are talking about, how do you know? Just saying.

Ryan Williams at VT isn't getting all that much hype outside of ACC country, and he rushed for 1600+ yards and 21 TD's last year.

James Rodgers is a stellar WR for Oregon State who is only now starting to get some attention (was finally named to Biletnikof watch list this year), but he's been a very important player for the Beavers for years.

Daniel Thomas is another guy that deserves a lot more hype than he's getting. There are probably a lot more, but we can't pay attention (at least not the level of attention we devote to Iowa or ISU) to EVERYBODY in CFB. Robinson is very underrated, but he's not alone in that category.