Skip to main content
michigan logo

Michigan punter Brad Robbins to participate in 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Combine

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•01/02/23•

CSayf23

On3 image
(Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines football graduate punter Brad Robbins is off for the NFL, and he’ll have the chance to impress organizations at the NFL Draft Scouting Combine Feb. 28-March 6 in Indianapolis. Robbins announced on social media Monday that he received an invite to the event.

“Awesome news today!” Robbins tweeted. “Cannot wait to compete with the best.”

RELATED

• MMQB: Michigan beating itself makes TCU loss sting even more

• We’ll be back, one play away, Titanic effort: Three key quotes from Michigan’s CFP loss to TCU

Robbins, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Westerville, Ohio, was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree at Michigan, earning honorable mention nods in 2017, 2020 and 2021. He appeared in 44 career games, and he missed the entire 2018 season with an injury.

Robbins punted 43 times in 2022, averaging 42.3 yards per kick with 9 boots of 50-plus yards. His numbers were a bit down from the previous campaign, when he averaged 46.3 yards per punt on 45 attempts.

All told for his career, Robbins punted 179 times with a 43-yard average, 61 kicks that pinned the opponent inside the 20-yard line and 30 boots of 50-plus yards. He only had 1 punt blocked, this season at Rutgers.

Robbins has also served as Michigan’s holder on field goals and extra points. He was up for the Pete Mortell Holder of the Year Award but lost out to Louisiana Tech’s Noah White.

It’s unclear what Robbins’ chances of being drafted are, but the fact that he was invited to the combine shows there’s a chance he gets picked. He landed as the No. 10 specialist and fifth-best punter on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s recent big board he released Dec. 29.

Robbins appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to getting drafted, but just barely. There were four punters drafted in 2022 and four in 2018, as well. It’s hit or miss, though, with only one taken in 2021, two in 2020 and two in 2019.

Michigan has plenty of other NFL Draft hopefuls, but it’s unknown if any have received or accepted combine invites.

The Wolverines will likely roll with junior-to-be Tommy Doman at the punter spot next season. He’s punted just once in his career, kicking a 41-yarder inside the UConn 20-yard line Sept. 17.

Brad Robbins took on leadership role for Michigan in 2022

Having been around the program for so long, Robbins held a leadership role, as unique as that is for a punter to do so. The same goes for graduate kicker Jake Moody, who was in his fifth season with the program.

Michigan special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh let Moody and Robbins create their own practice routines and allowed them to chime in with input.

“It feels great, being able to have that opportunity to have your own routine,” Robbins said earlier this season.

Robbins discussed how he and Moody lead the team.

“Our leadership styles are a little bit different,” Robbins explained of he and Michigan’s kicker. “He’s more of the quiet guy, but he is so consistent and so good at executing and doing his job. And because of that quietness that he has, when he talks, everyone wants to hear what he says, because what he says matters.

“I, myself, kind of pride myself on being more of a social butterfly, a guy who’s talking to everybody on the team, making sure everybody’s OK, trying to develop a bunch of these different relationships. It’s bigger than just being a good punter or a kicker, it’s about being a great teammate. I think that’s huge.”

You may also like