Topics

More

An Open Letter to Allen Robinson

Dear Allen,

I want to preface this letter by saying that watching the last two seasons of Penn State football and the success that the team has had against all odds has been one of my most rewarding experiences at Penn State. You have been an absolute asset to the offense and an inspiration to our program, both on and off the field, and for that I can’t thank you enough.

It has been a pleasure to watch you play for the Nittany Lions for the past three seasons — especially the last two — and if you decide to declare for the NFL Draft and head out of State College, I will support your decision and root for your success at the next level.

Having said that, I think that it’s in your best interest to stick around and don the blue and white uniform for one more season. You’ve accomplished a lot already, but you can accomplish so much more if you stay in Happy Valley for your senior year and I would like to outline some of the best reasons to spend one more year at Penn State.

First of all, there are still records to be broken. I know that you aren’t the kind of guy to worry about that sort of stuff and you’re more concerned with preparing for your next opponent than how many receptions you need to set the single-season record. But you could go down as the best wide receiver in Penn State history.

With 2,479 career receiving yards, you would need just 547 more to surpass Bobby Engram for the career yardage record at your position. You finished this season with 177 receptions, two shy of Deon Butler’s career record. The single-season record for receptions is already yours. In fact, you broke it twice, but one more year in Happy Valley would allow you to entirely rewrite the record book and cement your status as the best wide receiver to ever set foot in Beaver Stadium.

Don’t worry. There’s more than just some personal accomplishments. There’s the Ireland game, a historic event in which the football team will make the trip across the pond to play Central Florida in the Croke Park Classic. I’m sure you were thrilled when the idea of traveling with your teammates and family to play football in Europe first came about. You might not get that kind of opportunity again if you head for the draft.

Speaking of the draft, it’s no secret that your stock is soaring right now. Guru Mel Kiper Jr. has you going somewhere in the late second or early third round. Sure, staying one more season is slightly risky as that draft stock could spiral downward if your production isn’t as consistently great as it has been. But with an improved and more experienced Christian Hackenberg next year, is there really any doubt that you two will make magic happen on the field in 2014? Another great season could skyrocket that draft projection to new levels and make you one of the top wide receiver prospects in the nation — if not number one overall.

And then there are the sanctions. While nothing is set in stone, rumors have been swirling that the bowl ban could be lifted for next season if the NCAA continues to get positive reports from Happy Valley — and most suspect it will. You’ve already been a part of two special seasons at Penn State, but you could be playing for the Rose Bowl next year.

Those are all great reasons to stay, but I think the most obvious reason is the hundreds of thousands of Penn State fans that would love to see you stay for one more season. You see them every time you walk onto the field at Beaver Stadium, a sea of blue and white surrounding you with chants of “We Are!” echoing through the air. They support you through victory or defeat.

They, like me, will be cheering you on every step of the way if you decide that the National Football League is the way to go, but I think I can speak on behalf of Penn State’s 616,000 alumni and 39,192 current students when I say that we would like nothing more than one more year of Allen Robinson in our lives.

We only get a few years of our lives to spend here in this magical place called Happy Valley. What’s one more?

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Zach Berger

Zach Berger is a StateCollege.com reporter and Onward State's Managing Editor Emeritus. You can find him at the Phyrst more nights than not. If he had to pick a last meal, Zach would go for a medium-rare New York strip steak with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and a cold BrewDog Punk IPA. You can reach him via e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter at @theZachBerger.

Onward State’s 2024 College Football Playoff Hub

Follow along with Onward State’s coverage of Penn State football’s journey through the playoffs.

Staff Picks: Onward State’s Guide To Happy Valley For SMU Fans

To all visiting SMU fans, here’s how to best enjoy your stay in Happy Valley.

[Photo Story] Penn State Fall Sports In Black & White

Who knew that taking away the color could add some drama to these photos?

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
63.1kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter
Other posts by Zach

Penn Stater Named To Olympic Committee’s Centre for Safe Sport’s Inaugural Board

The Center for Safe Sport was recently created to tackle the issue of protecting America’s athletes. Penn State will be represented on the inaugural board by chief ethics and compliance officer Regis Becker.

A Valentine’s Day Trio Of Penn State Love Stories

Penn State To Celebrate 161st Birthday Next Week