ORLANDO – Aaron Robinson became the second Knight of the evening to be selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. The cornerback went in the third round on Friday, 71st overall to the New York Giants.
Robinson is the 44th UCF player to be selected in the history of the program, joining teammate Richie Grant to go on the second night of the 2021 draft.
WATCH AARON ROBINSON'S UCF HIGHLIGHTS
Robinson was extremely successful in the nickel position his final two seasons at UCF, earning second-team all-conference honors from The American in both 2019 and 2020. He was also a first-team all-conference honoree in 2019 according to Pro Football Focus, as well as a PFF Honorable Mention All-American.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida, native totaled 104 tackles in just 30 games, starting 19 times as a defensive back for the Knights. Robinson had 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 17 pass breakups in his final two seasons at UCF.
Robinson was also a Nagurski Award and Jim Thorpe Award watch list honoree in his final season of college football.
He is now the 30th UCF player to be drafted since 2003, the 20th Knight to be taken in the first three rounds, and the 12th UCF defensive back to be drafted into the NFL.
While the Knights have had seven defensive backs draft since 2012, this marks the first time UCF has had multiple defensive backs picked in the same draft.
Robinson is also the first Knight to be drafted by the Giants.
UCF in the NFL Draft Notes
- 44 Players Drafted all-time since 1987
- At least 1 player drafted in 15 of last 16 drafts
- 23 players drafted since 2008
- 30 players drafted since 2003
- 4 players drafted in the first round
- 4 players drafted in the second round
- 8 players drafted in the first two rounds, 5 since 2014
- 12 players drafted in the third round
- 20 players drafted in the first three rounds, 9 since 2014, 12 since 2010
- 7 Top 100 picks since 2017
- 21 Top 100 picks all-time since 1987
- 12 defensive backs have been drafted, 7 since 2012
UCF Defensive Backs in the NFL Draft
- Aaron Robinson (2021 – 3rd Round, 71st, New York Giants)
- Richie Grant (2021 – 2nd Round, 40th, Atlanta Falcons)
- Mike Hughes (2018 – 1st Round, 30th, Minnesota Vikings)
- Shaquill Griffin (2017 – 3rd Round, 90th, Seattle Seahawks)
- Clayton Geathers (2015 – 4th Round, 109th, Indianapolis Colts)
- Kemal Ishmael (2013 – 7th Round, 243rd, Atlanta Falcons)
- Josh Robinson (2012 – 3rd Round, 66th, Minnesota Vikings)
- Joe Burnett (2009 – 5th Round, 168th, Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Asante Samuel (2003 – 4th Round, 120th, New England Patriots)
- Travis Fisher (2002 – 2nd Round, 64th, St. Louis Rams)
- Paul Miranda (1999 – 4th Round, 96th, Indianapolis Colts)
- Ray Irvin (1991 – 9th Round, 240th, Cleveland Browns)
- Corris Ervin (1988 – 5th Round, 136th, Denver Broncos)
Previously Selected - Richie Grant (2nd Round, 40th Overall)
Grant left UCF as one of the most highly decorated Knights, earning first-team all-conference honors from the American Athletic Conference three consecutive years, receiving unanimous distinction as a senior in 2020.
A starter at safety in 33 games in three seasons, Grant garnered honorable mention All-America accolades from Phil Steele and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2020.
Grant totaled 291 tackles in his career, ranking fourth in UCF history with seven forced fumbles and fifth with 10 career interceptions. His six interceptions in 2018 ranked third in the nation and had over 100 tackles during his sophomore season.