Missing piece?: Transfer wideout Jaylon Robinson provides Ole Miss explosive option
Three weeks ago, Ole Miss released a transfer hype video, asking, “Who’s Next?” Over the weekend, that question was answered in resounding fashion by Lane Kiffin and the transfer portal. The answer is speedy wideout Jaylon Robinson, as the former UCF playmaker and No. 11 wide receiver in the On3 transfer rankings announced his commitment to the Rebels on Sunday.
Lane Kiffin has brought in a who’s who of newcomers this offseason, but the addition of Robinson may prove to be among the most important reinforcements the Rebels added for 2022.
Nicknamed ‘Jay Flash,’ Robinson gives Ole Miss some much-needed speed from the slot. An Oklahoma signee out of high school, Robinson transferred to UCF in 2019 and was an All-ACC standout for the Knights in 2020 with 55 receptions for 979 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games. Last fall, Robinson battled a knee injury that limited his production and play, catching just 18 balls for 322 yards (still 17.89 per reception) and two scores in seven games. He looked healthy this spring though, catching a pair of touchdowns in UCF’s scrimmage.
Robinson is the third receiver Ole Miss has added from the portal this offseason, but the guess here is he’ll play a larger role than either Malik Health or Jordan Watkins. Heath, a transfer from Mississippi State, is a solid 6-3, 220-pound ball-winner and red zone threat, and stands to play a similar role to the departed Braylon Sanders. Watkins, a 5-11, 180-pound speedster from Louisville, has a similar skill-set as Robinson, but he lacks the polish and yards-after-catch ability from the former UCF star.
Last season, Ole Miss’ passing offense lacked some juice because Kiffin didn’t have his jitterbug in the slot to take the top off of defenses. Although Matt Corral took much better care of the football in 2021, without current New York Jets wideout Elijah Moore in the slot, Ole Miss’ quarterback saw his yards per attempt dip down from 10.3 to 8.7. He threw nine fewer touchdowns and was notably less dynamic between the numbers.
Kiffin still must sort out Ole Miss’ quarterback situation between Luke Altymer and Jaxson Dart, but by landing Robinson, he likely eliminated an offensive bugaboo from a year ago. In a letter to SI.com detailing his commitment to the Rebels, Robinson specifically mentioned that Kiffin plans to employ him “how they used Elijah Moore” and that “I’m the missing piece for them to be more explosive.”
“After meeting all of the rest of the coaches, it was a vibe from the start. They had the best presentation for me with how they plan on utilizing me and putting me in different situations,” Jaylon Robinson wrote.
“Just using me, kind of like how they used Elijah Moore, I would say as like a high school player. Where you have fun—lining up in the backfield and all of the crazy things you want to enjoy. Lane (Kiffin) said I was the missing piece for them to be more explosive. … It is a big stage, and you get to do it at the highest level. I am just ready to get back into my groove and the old way of things. My sophomore year, I feel, still, like I left a lot on the table and wasn’t me. It was just a little butter to the bread.
“I have some more flavor I am going to bring to Mississippi. I trust Lane and the plan they have for me. I am excited because they are a very fun coaching staff. You have to enjoy the process, and I have enjoyed it with them. I am excited about the season.”
In 2020, Moore caught 67 balls between the numbers, per PFF, with 29 coming at least 10 yards pass the LOS. This is where Robinson does his best damage, and in an offense surrounded by fellow playmakers like tight end Michael Trigg, Heath, Jonathan Mingo and others, he stands to see lots of 1-on-1 coverage against nickel-backs and safeties.
For his career, Robinson is averaging over 17.8 yards per catch, which would’ve ranked No. 3 in the SEC in 2021. He’s apt at getting behind defenses both from the slot or the boundary, while also being a YAC threat off of bubble-screens or RPO-slants.
A year ago, Dontario Drummond led the Rebels in targets, receptions and touchdowns and did all his damage in the middle of the field — but 47 of his 76 catches either came behind the line of scrimmage or at a depth less than 10 yards, per PFF. His average depth of target just was 6.2 yards. Robinson’s career ADOT is 16.05 yards.
Jaylon Robinson was highly-coveted by Tennessee, Miami, TCU and others, but the Portal King managed to reel in another big fish who could prove a game-changer for Ole Miss’ offense in 2022.