Alexander Robinson thought he’d be working out with NFL players in late July. On Friday, he was. The former ISU running back was running 100-yard sprints alongside NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and other NFL players, but not in the NFL training camps Robinson, Fitzgerald and more than 1,500 other players had envisioned.

An NFL labor dispute involving NFL owners and players, which was ended on Monday, kept current and future NFL players from rejoining their team or, in the case of Robinson, an undrafted free agent, finding a team. Robinson, a Minneapolis, Minn. native, is one of more than 50 high school, college and professional players that have participated in workouts organized by Fitzgerald on the University of Minnesota campus this month.

“It’s been great just to see everybody’s work ethic, the stamina that they have throughout the workouts,” Robinson said of the professional players on Friday. “It’s not necessarily that they’re doing more than we did [in college], it’s the fact that they’re able to do it full speed all day.”

The players have gone through speed and agility workouts and, in order to get back in football shape, plenty of lengthy conditioning sessions. Robinson began training with the group last week, and has enjoyed getting the chance to work out with players like Fitzgerald, Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe and Bengals defensive end James Ruffin, who have been able to share their NFL experiences with him.

Running dozens of 100-yard sprints in the summer heat has been a change of pace for Robinson, who has been spending his summer afternoons training indoors at the two Life Time Fitness Centers in nearby Bloomington, Minn., where he pays a monthly membership fee of $53.

Robinson wasn’t the only class-of-2010 Cyclone to go undrafted, as quarterback Austen Arnaud, offensive lineman Alex Alvarez, tight end Collin Franklin, defensive lineman Bailey Johnson, center Ben Lamaak, safety Michael O’Connell and safety David Sims all participated in workouts in front of NFL scouts but did not have their names called on draft day. Although Robinson is the only one of the eight living in the Twin Cities, he has still kept in contact with his former teammates.

“We stay in touch basically through text messages, tweets and things just wishing each other the best of luck and telling each other just to stay ready, because eventually [the lockout] is going to lift,” Robinson said.

Had there been a normal NFL offseason, Robinson and all other free agents would have had the opportunity to be signed by teams and participate in organized team activities (OTAs) this spring.

“It’s hard for us undrafted guys, because now the longer that it goes on, the less of a chance we’re thinking that we’re going to get,” Robinson said.

Although Robinson, the fourth-leading rusher in ISU history, and the other undrafted Cyclones will not have as much time to impress NFL teams, they, along with this year’s NFL draftees, will be the first group of players given the chance to sign with teams once free agency opens.

“All it takes is one team, one opportunity, so you’re just hoping for that call,” Robinson said. “Whoever calls first is whoever you’re going to have to jump on, because it’s not going to be open very long.”

Prior to the NFL Draft in April, the 5-foot-9 running back received phone calls from three NFL teams: the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Robinson wasn’t projected to be taken in the seven-round draft, but the Giants did have a pick in the seventh round. The Giants took Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott, which means that once free agency opens, Robinson will have to try and capitalize on whatever chance he’s given to play at the next level.

“Now it comes down to, if you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. There are no second chances. You don’t have the rest of the summer to prove yourself to coaches,” Robinson said.