Three defenders selected during final day of draft

A trio of Florida State defenders heard their names called during the final day of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Defensive ends Janarius Robinson (Minnesota Vikings, 134) and Joshua Kaindoh (Kansas City Chiefs, 144) were the second and third Seminoles taken in this year’s draft, joining defensive back Asante Samuel Jr., who was the 47th pick of the Los Angeles Chargers Friday night.

Safety Hamsah Nasirildeen became the fourth member of the program selected when the New York Jets took him with the 186th pick in the sixth round on Saturday.

FSU has had at least one player drafted since 1984. This is the first time since 2018 that the program has had at least four players drafted.

Robinson, a 4-star standout out of Panama City, appeared in 34 games in four seasons at

FSU. He 104 tackles with 20.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks.

“Beyond blessed for this opportunity, no one deserves it more than mama!!! Let’s GET TO WORK SKOL NATION,” Robinson posted on Twitter.

“I can’t wait to get to Minnesota and get this thing rolling,” Robinson said in his introductory news conference on the team’s website. “I feel like I’m capable and have the ability to come up and contribute and compete for that starting role. I just want to come up there and be able to learn from Danielle Hunter on that other side and get the ball rolling.”

Kaindoh appeared in 28 straight games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2019. He appeared in eight games last season with 13 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.

Kaindoh said he interviewed with the Chiefs leading up to the draft and felt there was interest from the team.

“When I got the call, there was a bunch of yelling and screaming going on,” said Kaindoh. “It was one of the best moments in my life easily. I just want to go out there and prove I’m a ballplayer.”

Nasirildeen began his career as a reserve before moving into a starting role in 2018. He earned second-team all-ACC honors in 2019 after recording 101 tackles with three forced fumbles and two interceptions but missed most of 2020 with an injury.

Former FSU defensive back Lamarcus Joyner is also a member of the Jets’ active roster.

Samuel becomes the 16th Seminole drafted by the Chargers, joining fellow FSU defensive backDerwinJamesandfullbackGabeNabers..

“It means the world to me,” Samuel said in his introductory news conference on the team’s website. “I’ve been grinding for this exact moment. I just want to cherish this with my family and soak it all in.”

Samuel, whose father was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2003 after playing cornerback at UCF, appeared in 31 games for FSU.

Samuel was a two-time all-ACC performer, earning a first-team nod in 2020 after recording 31 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Drafted rookies sign four-year contracts with a team option for the fifth year.

Samuel’s deal is worth an estimated $7,222,944, according to Spotrac.com, with a possible signing bonus of $2,613,050 while Robinson’s deal is worth an estimated $4,145,403 with a possible signing bonus of $665,403.

Kaindoh’s projected deal could be worth around $3,979,345, with a possible signing bonus of $499,345, while Nasirildeen’s contract is an estimated $3,687,849.

Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and receiver Tamorrion Terry went undrafted.