When the Cincinnati Bengals selected Landon Robinson with the 226th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, they might have found a hidden gem. This Navy defensive tackle isn't just any late-round prospect—he's a player who has spent years studying and emulating one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time: Aaron Donald.

Robinson, a Fairlawn, Ohio native, brings an impressive athletic pedigree to the Bengals' defensive line. At Copley High School, he was an all-state linebacker and a multi-sport athlete, excelling in baseball, football, track, and wrestling. That versatility and work ethic have followed him to the next level.

What truly sets Robinson apart is his remarkable athleticism. He made Bruce Feldman's prestigious "Freaks List"—which highlights college football's top physical talents—not once, not twice, but three times. His strength numbers are eye-popping: a 665-pound squat, 465-pound bench press, and 350-pound power clean. For a 293-pound defensive tackle, those are elite marks.

Standing at 5-foot-11, Robinson is considered undersized for his position. But that's a familiar narrative. Aaron Donald, a future Hall of Famer, was also labeled "undersized" coming out of college. Robinson has taken that comparison to heart, modeling his game after Donald's explosive, relentless style.

Navy defensive line coach Jerrick Hall put it perfectly: "Landon is obsessed with getting better. He loves watching film. He can't get enough of watching Aaron Donald. He's all about details, sharpening tools."

While Robinson may not be a direct clone of Donald, his combination of raw power, relentless drive, and a student-of-the-game mentality makes him an intriguing prospect. For Bengals fans, this late-round pick could be the kind of steal that defines a draft class.