Michigan Panthers sign Tyree Robinson

Published 1:40 pm Thursday, April 20, 2023

 JOHNSON CITY – From one Buccaneer All-American defensive back signing a professional contract to another.

After ETSU announced Artevius Smith (Birmingham, Ala.) signing with the Wroclaw Panthers on Wednesday, his former teammate Tyree Robinson (Gainesville, Ga.) signed a free agent contract with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Robinson, who spent some time with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, played for ETSU from 2017-21. During his four-year playing career, Robinson played in 50 games (42 starts) totaling 255 tackles (164 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 11 interceptions, 26 pass break-ups, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and four defensive touchdowns. Robinson was a part of two championship teams, including the historical 2021 squad that set a program record for wins (11), won its first-ever outright Southern Conference title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs.

Robinson was a six-time All-American and three-time first team all-SoCon selection. In the 2018 SoCon championship season, Robinson recorded 71 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions one fumble recovery, nine pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. He was named STATS FCS National Player of the Week on Oct. 15 when he intercepted two passes at The Citadel, including a 42-yard return for a touchdown to seal the win late in the fourth quarter. Robinson led the SoCon in interceptions that 2018 season, while also being tied for third among FCS players in total interceptions and ranked seventh in interceptions per game (0.5).

In the 2021 championship campaign, Robinson ranked fifth on the team in total tackles (58) and led the Bucs with five interceptions, which tied for the sixth-most among FCS players. Robinson had a 98-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the thrilling overtime win at Samford, which ranked the second-longest among FCS players in 2021. The Buccaneer defensive back had a season-high 10 tackles in the FCS quarterfinal game at North Dakota State. Robinson also forced two fumble recoveries that season, which was tied for 14th in the FCS.

Michigan won its season opener last week against the Houston Gamblers. The Panthers take on the Philadelphia Stars this Sunday at 7 p.m. on FS1.

Robinson is the second Buccaneer to play in the USFL since it returned in 2022. Nasir Player is in his second season with the Pittsburgh Maulers. Player had three tackles in last week’s game versus the New Orleans Breakers.