At 6-8 and 325 pounds, Mississippi State offensive lineman Damien Robinson is one of the first guys a coach lets off the bus to impress or intimidate opponents.
The problem for Mississippi State is that will be the only contribution Robinson can make this season.
The team announced Monday Robinson will miss the entire season after tearing an ACL.
Robinson is literally and figuratively a massive loss for the team.
“That was a position you weren’t deep at. You were hoping that a Justin Senior and Rufus (Warren) could really spend this year in the supporting cast instead of the starring role,” Mullen told The Clarion-Ledger‘s Michael Bonner. “But hey sometimes in Hollywood you get your breaks at the right place and the right time.”
Senior is the more likely option to replace Robinson after Warren converted from tight end during the off season. But neither is guaranteed a spot. One of the interior linemen could be moved to tackle with a replacement sliding into the vacant spot.
“When an injury strikes the (offensive line) combination may change,” Mullen said. “That’s one of the things we have to be prepared to do and look, what’s the best combination going to be?”
For example, senior Archie Munoz, a three-year letter winner, could finally get his opportunity for a full-time role at guard if Jamaal Clayborn or Ben Beckwith prove capable of playing right tackle.
Robinson is a senior, but he could petition the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver and be granted a sixth year of eligibility.
(Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletic department)