JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Former Jacksonville University standouts Andrew Robustelli and Schon Thomas are off to begin the next stage of their football careers this weekend. Both Robustelli and Thomas have been invited to attend NFL rookie camps this weekend with Robustelli heading to the New York Giants May 8-9 and Thomas off to the Denver Broncos May 8-10.
A wideout from Sarasota, Fla., Robustelli was a First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection each of the past two years. In 2014 he caught 39 passes for 660 yards and nine touchdowns. Robustelli first caught attention from scouts following a stellar junior campaign in which he was named to several all-american teams. Over the course of the breakout year he had 51 receptions for a school record 1,063 yards (20.8 yards per catch) and 11 receiving touchdowns. This past December he was named his team's Most Valuable Player at the FCS National Bowl.
Thomas, a defensive back from Fort Myers, Fla., was named honorable mention All-PFL this past season. He started all 11 games for a defensive secondary that led the nation in interceptions. He totaled 39 tackles (28 solo, 11 assists), had 4.5 tackles for losses and six passes defended with five breakups and one interception.
Thomas will not be the only former Dolphin with ties to the Denver Broncos organization. In March kicker/punter Karl Schmitz, signed a free agent deal with the team. He was a kick off specialist for Jacksonville in the 2008 season.
This marks the third straight season the Jacksonville University Football program has had a player draw interest from the NFL ranks. Last season kicker/punter Dylan Lynch was invited by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while defensive back/return specialist Colby Walden attended the Washington Redskins' rookie camp in May of 2013.