Who Is Liam Robbins?

Dylan Mckneely • July 3, 2023

The Man With a Very Particular Set of Skills

  With the 14th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Pelicans select…. Jordan Hawkins!! This is the first and only pick made by the Pelicans on one of the most highly anticipated nights in sports. With this pick, the Pels front office filled one of its greatest needs, and the hottest commodity in the current iteration of the NBA… SHOOTING! Jordan Hawkins will no doubt become a fan favorite if his shooting ability follows him into the pro game.


  While this selection filled one of the major holes of the Pels roster, there’s still a huge need for a floor-spacing big man that is a capable rim protector. Enter stage left the Liam Robbins. The former Vanderbilt center signed with the Pelicans after going undrafted, according to a report from Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.

  Who is Liam Robbins, and why should you care? Can I interest you in a 7-foot post player that averaged 18.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks while shooting 48.9% from the field, and 50% from three in SEC play? The reigning SEC DPOY had multiple dominant performances this past season, highlighted by a 32 point, 10 rebound, 4 block showing against Florida in 29 minutes. Robbins ranked #1 in offensive rating in the SEC among players that were utilized in more than 28% of their team’s possessions. Robbins does not succeed based off of supreme athleticism but leans heavily on his high basketball IQ that can be traced back to being born into a basketball family. The nephew of The Citadel men’s head basketball coach Ed Conroy, and the Toronto Raptor’s play-by-play commentator Matt Devlin, Robbins credits this and his parents being lifelong basketball fans, as playing a pivotal role in his IQ development. Outside of the list of accolades (and the list is extensive), what exactly is New Orleans getting in the 23-year-old post player?


Strengths


Shooting Ability

  Robbins isn’t your prototypical stretch big that primarily excels at shooting open set shots. He is more than comfortable shooting contested jumpers from well beyond the three point line. His high arching Jokic like form, makes it almost impossible to contest his shot. There were multiple (9) games this past season that Robbins shot above 40% from three. Not only is he an effective three point shooter (36%), Robbins is also a highly efficient   midrange jump shooter (50%), with the post fadeaway often being his weapon of choice. Robbins’ shooting ability makes him a valuable threat in the Pick and Roll/Pick and Pop game. Imagine having to choose between guarding Zion coming downhill or Robbins popping out for three… 

High Basketball IQ

  As I mentioned earlier, Robbins greatest skill is his ability to think the game. Inspired by the notorious Dennis Rodman’s calculated approach towards rebounding, Robbins uses this same approach towards shot blocking. Studying player tendencies to know when to go for a block and when to simply contest without fouling. Robbins was the defensive anchor for the Commodores, often determining schemes and coverages the team as a whole would deploy. His IQ shines brightest in his ability to be such an efficient shot blocker without fouling (64 fouls in 598 minutes), which is a trait that is usually the hardest for a shot blocker of his level to master.


Shot Blocking

  In an interview with No Ceilings NBA, Robbins is quoted as saying “Getting a blocked shot is my favorite statistic.” He makes this clear by averaging 3.2 blocks a game, finishing second in the nation. He does a great job of anticipating the shot selection and has a quick response rate. Growing up, Robbins was a huge Dwight Howard fan and it shows in his aggressive approach towards shot blocking, often looking for game changing blocks.

Weaknesses


Post Moves

  Robbins isn’t going to wow you with multiple post moves. It is a known fact that when in post up scenarios, he is either going to shoot the short hook towards the middle of the lane, or pump fake middle and take the left hand layup. That’s about the extent of his post moves. Often relying on his height to simply finish over defenders, this could become an issue at the next level when playing against more skilled defenders.


FT Shooting

  While Robbins got to the free throw line at an extremely high rate (171 FT attempts in 26 games), he only converted on 73% of his attempts. This would be good enough to barely clear the league average for Centers (71.5%). While his mechanics are very fluid and refined, he often rushes each shot. Maybe with a little time with the Wizard of Shooting AKA Fred Vinson, we could see a drastic improvement from a percentage standpoint. 


Injury History

  And at this point,  we collectively let out a “Oh No!” The leading reason for Robbins going undrafted has less to do with his capability, after all It’s a rarity that a SEC DPOY, floor spacing big isn’t taken in the 2nd round at least. Say it with me “Your best ability is your availability.” Robbins has a history of lower extremity injuries, which are the most alarming for anyone, let alone a 7-foot big man. In the 21-22 season, he missed time with a stress fracture and sprained ankle. Robbins then followed that up in the 22-23 season with a bone bruise in his foot and a broken leg, which would cause him to miss the entire postseason play. This is the most alarming part of Robbins scouting report. One can only hope that his injury prone days are behind him. 


  Robbins has an opportunity to carve out a role in this league for a long time. The major question mark has less to do with his capability and more to do with his availability. ESPN ranked Robbins as the sixth best undrafted player for a reason. At best, the Pelicans just found Myles Turner as an undrafted Free Agent. At worst, Robbins will be another player cut either before or after training camp. Let’s all hope for the best. Not just for Robbins sake, but for the Pels Sake.


- Dylan Mckneely (@DylanMckneely)

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Why Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton RoyalWhy Peyton "Pop" Houston Could Play a Major Role in LSU's Pursuit of Easton Royal

By Auston Taylor • July 8, 2026
 LSU has made it clear that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of its top priorities in the 2027 recruiting class. Although Royal is currently committed to Texas, LSU has continued to recruit him aggressively. Based on recent recruiting events and public reporting, one factor that could strengthen the Tigers' position is the presence of quarterback commit Peyton "Pop" Houston. While no outcome is guaranteed in recruiting, Houston's relationship with Royal has become one of the more intriguing storylines surrounding LSU's 2027 class. According to recruiting coverage from The Opening and reports from And The Valley Shook, Houston and Royal showcased noticeable chemistry while competing together on the national stage. Houston also drew attention by winning the event's longest throw competition with a reported 67-yard throw, further reinforcing why many evaluators consider him one of the premier quarterback prospects in the 2027 class. In my view, Houston has the potential to become much more than another highly rated offensive commitment. Elite quarterbacks often become magnets for other top recruits, and early signs suggest Houston could have that kind of influence on LSU's 2027 recruiting class. Why Houston Matters in Royal's Recruitment Quarterback and wide receiver relationships have become one of the most influential factors in modern recruiting. Elite receivers aren't simply choosing a school—they're choosing an offense, a coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, the quarterback who will help maximize their abilities. If Royal ultimately views Houston as LSU's quarterback of the future, it gives the Tigers another compelling selling point. Rather than asking Royal to imagine what the offense could become, LSU can point to chemistry that has already been displayed during national recruiting events. That doesn't guarantee a commitment flip, but it does provide LSU with something tangible that few recruiting pitches can offer: an established connection between two elite prospects. LSU's History Shows Why This Matters LSU's greatest offensive seasons have consistently featured elite quarterbacks throwing to elite receivers. During the Tigers' historic 2019 National Championship season, Joe Burrow captured the Heisman Trophy while throwing to arguably the greatest receiving corps in college football history—Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. That offense rewrote NCAA record books and remains the standard for modern college football offenses. A few years later, history repeated itself. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman Trophy while benefiting from one of the nation's most explosive receiving duos in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels' remarkable development was certainly his own, but LSU's elite receiving talent allowed the offense to reach another level. The lesson is clear: great quarterbacks elevate receivers, but elite receivers also help quarterbacks reach championship-level production. That history gives LSU a compelling message for recruits considering Baton Rouge. Peyton "Pop" Houston's Development Houston's rise as one of Louisiana's premier quarterback prospects is backed by more than recruiting rankings. Evaluators consistently praise his arm strength, touch, ability to extend plays outside the pocket, and willingness to attack defenses vertically. His continued development at Evangel Christian Academy has made him one of the foundation pieces of LSU's 2027 recruiting class. The Bigger Picture If LSU eventually pairs Peyton Houston with Easton Royal, it would represent much more than another recruiting victory. It would signal that LSU landed a quarterback capable of attracting elite talent around him while adding a receiver willing to build alongside that vision. Programs that consistently compete for championships often see recruiting momentum build this way. Elite quarterbacks attract receivers. Elite receivers attract additional offensive talent. Once that cycle begins, recruiting classes can quickly become special. None of this guarantees that Easton Royal will flip his commitment. Texas remains in a strong position, and recruiting decisions can change for countless reasons. However, Houston's emergence gives LSU something every elite program hopes to have: a quarterback capable of becoming the centerpiece of an entire recruiting class. LSU has already witnessed what happens when championship-caliber quarterbacks are paired with elite receivers. Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy. If Peyton "Pop" Houston eventually helps bring Easton Royal to Baton Rouge, it could become one of the defining recruiting stories of LSU's 2027 class—and perhaps the first step toward building another explosive Tiger offense.

Tight End Room Outlook: Revamped and Ready To Roll

By Kaden Arkeder • July 4, 2026
The tight end room has some fresh blood and they look poised to be more impactful heading into next season. With the new arrivals of Noah Fant and third round draft pick Oscar Delp the offense will have the ability to play more in multiple tight end sets to create mismatches for the defense. Multiple tight end sets should allow the Saints to improve the run game and conversely the play action game. Playing in tight end heavy sets was something they were unable to do more of last year due to injuries and lack of talent at the tight end position. Mainstay and the only returning starting caliber player is Juwan Johnson. Johnson had a good year last year as one of the few reliable targets in the passing game aside from Chris Olave. Johnson is looking to build on a solid year where he had 77 receptions for 889 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. He was a security blanket when Rattler was starting and had quite a few big plays when Shough took over as the starting quarterback. With Shough coming into the season as the presumed starter I expect their connection to be even better next season. Someone hoping to have a better connection with a new QB is Noah Fant. Fant was a first round pick back in 2019 with the Broncos but has never quite lived up to his draft status. Fant will be playing on his third team in three years as he seeks to be a quality rotational piece in the offense and find stability for his career here in New Orleans. Fant should be utilized more in the passing game than in the running game but should be able to hold his own when called upon to do his part on run downs. Fant has been on a statistical decline since his time with Denver as his best receiving season came in at 68/670/4 back in 2021. Although his stats have been declining Fant still has plenty to offer with his athleticism and should produce more given a better opportunity. After Fant in the depth chart should be Oscar Delp who could be the x-factor of the tight end room after being selected in the third round of the draft this year. Delp brings a versatile option to the offense as he can lineup in various spots and handle the rigors of blocking in the run game. Delp’s calling card in college was his elite athleticism which jumps off the screen when you watch his tape. He has the ability to turn a five yard catch into an explosive play with how quickly he can get to top speed. Delp is an adequate, willing blocker where like most new tight ends in the league has room to improve in the blocking area of his game. With his versatility and athleticism I believe Delp will play a pivotal role in the offense this upcoming season. With Delp presumed to round out the depth chart at tight end the remaining tight ends will be competing for spots on the practice squad or spots on another team. This group includes Cody Hardy, Treyton Welch, Moliki Matavao, and Zaire Mitchell-Paden. We’ve seen Welch and Matavao from last season fill in admirably after some injuries but are best served as bench options at this point in time in their development. This group of roster hopefuls should hopefully provide some good competition from one another as we progress through training camp and preseason here shortly. Overall this group has a lot more promise heading into this season as it did last year. By getting younger and more athletic the tight ends will play a more prominent role in Kellen Moore’s offense. Whether it’s Juwan building on last season or Fant having a bounce back year or Delp proving to be revelation, the team is going to have plenty of options to choose from to attack the defense. Exactly what this team needed after not having enough last season.
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