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Former Michigan football great Denard Robinson is trying his luck in the NFC North.
According to sources, Robinson is a part of the Chicago Bears’ 67-player 2017 rookie minicamp roster and is one of nine veterans who will attempt to make the team on a tryout basis.
#Bears have 67 players on roster for rookie minicamp including 9 veterans in on tryout basis. pic.twitter.com/nbXhnnEF5a
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) May 12, 2017
“Shoelace” was selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who turned the former Michigan quarterback into a running back.
In four seasons in Jacksonville, Robinson was never able to take over the starting job, but did accumulate 1,058 rushing yards, five touchdowns and averaged four yards per carry.
The odds are certainly stacked against Robinson to make the final cut considering the log jam the Bears already have at running back. Behind breakout rookie Jordan Howard, Chicago has former Michigan State Spartan Jeremy Langford, Ka’Deem Carey and fourth-round pick Tarik Cohen, among others in its backfield.
Robinson was a fan favorite during his time in Ann Arbor from 2009-2012 where he was one of the lone bright spots of the Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke regimes.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida native electrified college football with his elite athleticism and game-breaking speed on his way to becoming a First Team All-American and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2010.
In 2011, Robinson lead the Wolverines to a win over Ohio State, a Sugar Bowl Championship and an 11-2 finish before getting injured his senior season and handing the reigns over to Devin Gardner.
“Shoelace” finished his remarkable U-M career as the NCAA record-holder for career rushing yards by a quarterback (4,495) and became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season (2010).
Check out some of Robinson’s highlights from his days in Ann Arbor: