The Cleveland Browns 2023 5th round draft pick, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson had an excellent second half in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. In fact, for the game, Thompson-Robinson had a 124.1 Quarterback Rating.
Trailing 16-7 at halftime, Thompson-Robinson started the second half at quarterback for the Browns.
The former Bishop Gorman and UCLA Bruins star led the Browns on two second half touchdown drives to help Cleveland comeback to defeat the New York Jets 21-16 in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s Football Career
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a Bishop Gorman High School Alum.
While at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas during his senior year, Thompson-Robinson threw for 3,275 yards and an amazing 38 touchdowns. During his senior year of football in 2017, Bishop Gorman was undefeated and won the national title.
After graduating high school in 2018, Thompson-Robinson went to UCLA where he was a starting quarterback for four years with the Bruins.
Thompson-Robinson was then drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Photo by Charles Murray
On Tuesday, in the post-practice press conference, Thompson-Robinson expressed his excitement about getting an opportunity to play in the Hall of Fame Game.
“Yeah, it’s going to be super exciting,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I’m obviously going to have family there and close friends, so super excited to be able to have them there and share that experience with me. But I’m ready to just go out there and get an opportunity to play–being a rookie, you don’t really get as much practice reps, so finally being able to get in the game, the time is yours and you get to go out there and show what you can do. It’s fun for me.”
Thompson-Robinson’s Second Half Touchdown Drives
Thompson-Robinson certainly showed how talented he was and what he could do on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game. In fact, overall for the contest Thompson-Robinson had a 124.1 Quarterback Rating.
In particular, for the game, Thompson-Robinson was 8-11 (72.7%) through the air for 82 yards, and 1 touchdown. His longest pass completion went for 22 yards.
Thompson-Robinson was also effective on the ground as he carried the ball 6 times for 36 yards.
Thompson-Robinson’s first touchdown drive started at the Browns own 7 yard line with 12:57 left in the third quarter.
After an incomplete pass and 7 yard run, Thompson-Robinson completed a key third down pass to Anthony Schwartz for a first down.
The 11 play drive lasted 6:47 and culminated in a 16-yard touchdown run by 2021 sixth round Browns draft pick Demetric Felton, also a former UCLA Bruin.
During this drive, Thompson-Robinson had runs of 12 and 15 yards. Also key completions in the drive were thrown to Zaire Mitchell-Paden (10 yards), Mike Harley (14 yards), and Anthony Schwartz (7 yards).
The drive culminated with a touchdown run by Demetric Felton.
The go ahead touchdown drive led by Thompson-Robinson was a 9 play 78-yard drive that began with 14:41 left in the game.
In the go ahead touchdown drive, Thompson-Robinson completed four passes in four attempts.
Two of the pass completions were short passes to rookie tight-end Zaire Mitchell-Paden from Florida Atlantic University for 5 yards and to rookie wide receiver Michael Harley from the University of Miami for 4 yards.
The two longer pass completions on the drive were both thrown to Austin Watkins who only a month ago won a USFL Championship at Tom Benson Stadium as a member of the Birmingham Stallions.
Early in the game winning drive, Thompson-Robinson connected with Watkins on a crucial third down play for 13 yards.
The second completion to Watkins on the drive was the 22-yard game winning touchdown pass with 9:33 left in the game.
Thompson-Robinson’s Thoughts about His Performance in Hall of Fame Game
In the post-game press conference Thomas-Robinson provided his thoughts about the game and his performance.
“Definitely excited, it’s always good to get football back in your life and actually being able to get some game reps in there,” said Thompson-Robinson.
Thompson-Robinson then emphasized an important mental aspect of football that is often a characteristic of excellent performances.
He stated that his focus during the Hall of Fame Game was on what he needed to do to be successful. In addition, he talked about the experience being enjoyable.
“Super fun being out there,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I just tried my best to focus on my job, and my job only. Making sure I get guys lined up, get the play calls out like I said earlier in the week.”
In evaluating his performance, Thompson-Robinson said getting the reps in the Hall of Fame Game was really important.
“I think it is all about getting reps, making sure that I now have film to watch to be able to learn from, cause lord knows I was not perfect tonight,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I think that’s probably just the biggest thing. This is just the next step in my process and in my growth and development making sure I can go in tomorrow and watch all the film and all the cut ups and get ready for next week.”
Head Coach Keven Stefanski also weighed in on Thompson-Robinson’s performance in the Hall of Fame Game.
“Made some nice plays, Tony,” said Coach Stefanski. “Made some plays with his feet. I thought the route on the touchdown was outstanding. Good read, good throw, had some really good moments.”
Thompson-Robinson will now begin to prepare for the Browns next game against the Washington Commanders on Friday, August 11 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
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