NFL Scouting Combine: How Penn State's 'Chop' Robinson Earned His Nickname at Birth

Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson, projected as a late first-round pick in the NFL Draft, may have one of the most unique nicknames at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS — Say the name Demeioun Robinson and few people at the NFL Scouting Combine will know who you're talking about. Since birth, the former Penn State defensive end has gone by the name "Chop."

No, Robinson won't be a likely pick for the Tennessee Titans in this year's NFL Draft, but he has one of the most unique nicknames among draft prospects. And because the Scouting Combine is an opportunity to learn more about each player, the former Nittany Lions star explained why everyone calls him "Chop."

"I was 14 pounds when I was born and my mom gave me the nickname 'Porkchop,'" Robinson said. "Then, once I got older, I started to slim down. I couldn't have people calling me 'Porkchop' anymore because I wasn't big, so I kept 'Chop.'"

Funny enough, "Chop" isn't the only nickname Robinson carries with him. When he's at home, he actually goes by something completely different, also dating back to his birth.

"I  have a household name that's actually 'Plump.' But outside of there, it's 'Chop,'" Robinson said. "So, I basically have two nicknames but my household name is 'Plump.' Nobody knows that."

As for Demeioun — you know, Robinson's actual first name — he only hears it at very specific times. "The only time they call me by my first name is when I'm in trouble or something," he said.

Basically, NFL Draft prospects are just like the rest of us in that regard. 

Robinson is one of the more interesting prospects in this year's draft, and not just because of his nickname. Pro Football Focus (PFF) predicts the Penn State product will be one of the top performers at Lucas Oil Stadium this week.

"Given his size (6-foot-3, 254 pounds), it won't be a surprise for Robinson to run in the 4.4 range in the 40-yard dash, and he has the explosiveness that could help him produce eye-popping numbers in the broad and vertical jumps," the website reads.

By the end of the week, Robinson might be the most intriguing prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft — based on talent and name.

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