Ohio State football: OSU’s Unknown All-American

Several Ohio State football players were named to All-American teams for the 2021 season. Thayer Munford, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave were all named to the first team of one or another. Kicker Noah Ruggles was second-team by a few services. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was named to the AP’s third team and The Sporting News second team (go ahead and laugh at how ridiculous that is). There was also Bradley Robinson.

I know what you’re thinking, “Who on earth is Bradley Robinson?” If that is actually what is running through your mind, you now know exactly why he’s an All-American. Robinson is Ohio State’s long snapper for punts and placekicks.

You never hear his name mentioned because he does his job so well. Tell me the last time you’ve seen a bad snap on a kick in the last two seasons. The only time these guys are talked about is when they make a mistake. Robinson is never talked about. That should tell you all you need to know.

He was named a fourth-team All-American by Rubio Long Snapping. They are kind of THE long snapping authority in football and helped found The Patrick Mannelly Award, which is given annually to the nation’s best long snapper. Robinson was a finalist but did not win.

The 6’1”, 230 pound native of Troy, Michigan is a former Michigan State transfer. He has been Academic All-Big Ten and an OSU Scholar-Athlete multiple times. Robinson recently won the Rose Bowl’s Scholar-Athlete Award that is based on academics and community involvement. He isn’t working on just one degree, he’s pursuing two and has hopes of going to medical school.

While he may not be a household name among Buckeye fans, he is forever part of a play that will be remembered for decades to come. His perfect snap in the final moments of the Rose Bowl made it easy for holder Jesse Mirco to place the ball flawlessly for Noah Ruggles to drill the game-winning kick and complete an epic comeback (watch the final moments of that game here.)

Most will never remember he was a part of this play, but that just means the Ohio State football team’s Unknown All-American did his job well.