Troy University Athletics
Let Loose: Taleeq Robbins’ New Mentality for Senior Season
9/24/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
TROY, Ala. – For Taleeq Robbins, the road to Troy wasn't straight. It was winding, marked by setbacks, lessons and the kind of growth that only comes from perseverance.
A Philadelphia native, Robbins has traveled across programs and states, learning about the game, about life and, most importantly, about himself. Now in his senior year with the Troy Trojans, he carries a new mindset — one rooted in resilience, openness and the belief that everything he has endured has prepared him for this moment.
Robbins' journey began with a promising high school career, where he ranked among the top defensive tackles in Pennsylvania. His size and athleticism caught the eyes of recruiters, and his potential seemed boundless. But football wasn't always his first love. Before the gridiron, Robbins was a basketball player. He only decided to stick with football after a push from his father.
I wanted to quit the first week, Robbins said. I wasn't necessarily used to putting my hand in the dirt. But my dad told me, 'Never quit anything you start. Always finish it to the best of your ability.' That stuck with me.
That lesson carried Robbins through the transitions ahead that included Ole Miss, Northeast Mississippi and Houston. At Houston, he saw playing time, including four starts in 2023, but his next season never materialized. It wasn't ability that held him back, but battles off the field.
It wasn't even about the on-the-field stuff, Robbins said. It was mainly the mental aspect and off-the-field issues that kept me from being out there. But all of that was a learning experience for me. I've had to learn to be consistent in my mentality — not just when things are good, but when life hits the lows, too.
A self-described quiet person, Robbins admits he sometimes came across as distant. At times, he bottled up struggles, believing that was what it meant to be a man. Looking back, he sees how that approach held him back.
You can't just shut the world out, Robbins said. You've got to have someone to talk to, to lean on.
That realization makes his arrival at Troy feel different. For the first time in his career, Robbins said, he has found a place where he feels both supported and challenged. He credits Troy coaches, including defensive line coach Justin Manning, head coach Gerad Parker, strength coach Darl Bauer and defensive coordinator Dontae Wright for creating an environment of trust and accountability.
They've been open in a way where it doesn't feel forced, Robbins said. It's like talking to your mom or dad. They keep it real with you, but you know it's coming from a place of family. That's what's made the difference for me here.
As Robbins enters his senior season, he's determined to play freely and without the weight of second-guessing or carrying the baggage of the past.
I just want to let loose, Robbins said. I've been bottled up before, trying to force things. Now I'm more comfortable, and I feel like everything will fall into place.
With NFL aspirations in sight, Robbins approaches this final collegiate season with urgency but also gratitude. He sees it as both the culmination of years of work and the beginning of what comes next.
I don't want to just say I was part of something, Robbins said. I want to be a force for Troy. I want to win, and I want to help bring that to this program and this community. I feel like it's time for a breakthrough.
For Robbins, that breakthrough isn't just about tackles or stats. It's about embodying the lessons he has carried with him at every stop — and finally unleashing the player, and person, he always knew he could be.
