Meet the DFW trainer behind NFL receivers and local high school football stars
When Rashard Higgins was at Mesquite High School, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever reach the NFL.
At first, college interest was nonexistent. But wide receiver coach David “D-Rob” Robinson had no doubts. He believed Higgins’ relentless work ethic would carry him to the next level.
Higgins went on to star at Colorado State, becoming a Biletnikoff Award finalist, before spending seven years in the NFL.
He’s one of 64 NFL players Robinson has trained during his 20-year career. Now president and CEO of D-Rob Sports and Fitness Training, Robinson has built a reputation as one of the nation’s top wide receiver developers.
Over the years, his client list has featured numerous first-round draft picks: Calvin Ridley, Marquise Brown, Jerry Jeudy, Jalen Reagor, Jahan Dotson, Treylon Burks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Quentin Johnston and others.
He has also worked with a Heisman Trophy winner in Travis Hunter and NFL standouts such as Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill and Rashee Rice.
But Robinson’s focus isn’t just on established stars. Many of the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s top young receivers train under him, including Southlake Carroll’s Brock Boyd, the Star-Telegram Preseason Player of the Year and an Ohio State commit, and DeSoto’s Ethan Feaster, a four-star USC pledge.
Boyd, who posted 1,910 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior despite constant double-teams, credited Robinson for helping him handle those challenges.
“Since I was young, I’ve been in the lab with my trainer D-Rob,” Boyd said. “We practice double-teams a lot. Just working around different ways to get around it.
“I don’t care how many people are in front of me. I always like my odds.”
Robinson is also mentoring the next wave of elite prospects, including Dez Bryant Jr. and North Crowley sophomore Damarion Mays.
Robinson’s path to coaching
Robinson’s football journey began with his cousin, Casey Printers, who led TCU to three bowl games as a quarterback from 1999-2001 after a standout high school career at DeSoto. Robinson saw him thrive and wanted to play football.
“I started taking football and the receiver position really serious back then,” Robinson said.
He received early training from Brandon “Bam” Harrison, a former NFL player who coached at Kimball High School. At Kimball and later DeSoto, Robinson became a three-time first-team all-district selection.
That success led him to Oklahoma, where he learned from NFL receiver Mark Clayton, the No. 22 overall pick in 2005, as well as Brandon Jones and Travis Wilson, both future third-round draft choices.
Playing under coach Bob Stoops, Robinson said he quickly learned what professionalism required.
“I learned how guys practice every day, when you’re trying to be a professional,” Robinson said. “The consistency that it takes, day in and day out, to be an elite receiver in college.”
An ankle injury derailed his hopes of playing professionally, but Robinson still found ways to contribute. He became a mentor in the Sooners’ receiver room, earning the Derrick Shephard Award as Oklahoma’s most inspirational walk-on.
Darrell Wyatt, the Sooners’ receivers coach at the time, saw Robinson’s coaching potential.
“He came to me and said, ‘Hey man, when you get done playing, you’ll be a really good coach,’” Robinson said.
At first, Robinson was focused on maximizing his own career. But Wyatt’s words stuck with him.
After college, Robinson returned to Kimball in 2005 as a teacher and began helping with football offseason workouts. Word spread quickly. Soon, 40 to 50 kids were training with him.
Back then, he said, position-specific coaching wasn’t readily available in DFW. Among his first clients were JaCorey Shephard and Jakeem Grant, both eventual NFL draft picks. Grant went on to make the Pro Bowl in 2021 with the Chicago Bears.
“That’s when I kinda really knew,” Robinson said. “I’m onto something with this training. This might be my calling.”
From there, Robinson trained Cedar Hill stars DaMarkus Lodge and Quincy Adeboyejo under coach Joey McGuire, both of whom went on to the NFL.
“I get up every day with a passion and a joy to do this,” Robinson said. “It’s not really considered work, even though it could be stressful from time to time. What gives me joy is seeing guys being able to accomplish their dreams on and off the field.”
What makes a great receiver?
Robinson stresses that greatness requires more than athletic ability. Receivers must recognize defensive leverage, read coverages and understand route concepts.
He said football IQ and preparation separate the very good from the elite. And while speed, hands, route-running, endurance, and athleticism are all vital, Robinson believes the best players share one key trait: They always want the ball.
To some, that mindset sounds selfish. Robinson disagrees.
“You really have to be unselfish,” Robinson said. “Because you run a lot of routes and you have to be well-conditioned. It’s not easy to run a 30-yard post or a fade, and the ball doesn’t get thrown to you. … You have to run every route like you’re getting the ball.”
Robinson begins by identifying mechanical weaknesses, then tailors a specific training regimen to help players thrive. Whether working with Pro Bowlers or high school athletes, his approach doesn’t change.
“They want to play at the pro level, so they have to get used to hearing certain words,” Robinson said. “Like dagger, Omaha, Oscar — certain terminology they use in the NFL.”
Beyond football, Robinson emphasizes balance and responsibility. He talks with his athletes about how they spend their time, home life, rest, nutrition and more.
“He is the best,” Feaster said. “And he talks to me a lot about stuff outside of football. He doesn’t just talk about football with me. And he makes sure I stay focused. He checks on me. He is like another uncle.”
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