The 2025 breakout receiver could have participated in the NFL combine earlier this month. But instead is preparing for spring football and detailed why.
Florida State football came close to having two NFL Draft prospects at the 2026 Combine.
Darrell Jackson represented the Seminoles by himself in Indianapolis while Duce Robinson opted to avoid testing the draft waters. Many fans and even draft experts wondered why Robinson would bypass the league, though. Especially after delivering his first 1,000-yard season.
The star wide receiver finally explained with reporters Monday why he felt FSU is more for him in 2026 compared to the NFL.
"I think the biggest parts of me coming back were when I got feedback from the league and they told me the stuff I needed to work on, it was very fixable stuff," Robinson said.
Another words, Robinson received honest critique from various league officials. He then pulled back the curtain to detail what "stuff" he needed to hone in on per his conversations.
"It's stuff like blocking, showing that I can be a more willing blocker, showing that I can play without the ball in my hands," Robinson said.
But it's more than paving the way for his teammates that Robinson must work on. He later received an assessment on his catching ability.
"It is being a little more consistent at the catch-point, a little bit more confident at the catch-point," Robinson added on where else he can improve. "I think everyone knows, it's no secret, that I bobbled some balls last year, some balls that I should have had. So I need to hone that in a little bit better."
Was there one more area NFL teams encouraged Robinson to work on?
"And then just getting in and out of my routes being a bigger receiver, being a bigger guy," Robinson continued. "That is something you can always work on no matter how good you get at it, no matter how quick you might be in and out of it, you are never going to move like a small guy."
Robinson can boost his draft stock higher if he surpasses his 2025 totals. The former USC Trojans commit caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards and scored six touchdowns for FSU, all career-highs now.
He must develop instant chemistry too with Ashton Daniels, who's projected to start at quarterback after the departure of Tommy Castellanos. Adjusting to another QB can also elevate Robinson's draft stock.
But a massive 2026 season will spark first-round chatter in Tallahassee for the 6-foot-6 receiver.
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