Steve Sarkisian compares Bijan Robinson to this former USC superstar

Steve Sarkisian has seen many running backs over his 21-year college coaching career. But one very dynamic player comes to mind when the first-year Texas head coach thinks about his sophomore running back Bijan Robinson: Reggie Bush. 

Sarkisian was USC’s quarterback coach from 2005-2006, so he had a front-row seat to watch Bush dominate opposing defenses in his final year in Los Angeles. 

“I think the biggest thing Bijan resembles to Reggie Bush is the one-cut ability,” Sarkisian said, via Hookem.com. “I hadn’t seen that for quite some time, the ability to make that full-speed, violent one cut, not lose top speed and get vertical, and Bijan has that.”

In his Heisman Trophy-winning final season at USC, Bush ran for 1740 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2005. He caught 37 balls for 478 yards and two touchdowns. 

Sarkisian sees similar potential in Robinson. The former top running back recruit in his class is a playmaker both on the ground and through the air. As a true freshman, he had 703 yards and four touchdowns on the ground plus 15 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns. 

It is clear Bush made an impact on young Robinson. He wears the No. 5 jersey because of Bush.

Robinson’s adjustment period is over

Robinson started in six of the nine games in which he saw action last season, but he averaged fewer than 10 touches per game. This season, Sarkisian said he wants to put the ball in Robinson’s hands far more. 

“If we can put a ballpark in that 18 to 22 range, roughly 20 touches a game, that puts us in a good position, I think, as a team, as an offense, and that still allows opportunity for other players to do what they want to do and what they can do to help our team,” Sarkisian said.

Robinson split carries last season with Keaontay Ingram and converted quarterback Roschon Johnson. Ingram left for USC, and Robinson is the clear RB1 in front of Johnson now. 

Like Bush, Robinson had multiple long runs for touchdowns last season: 75 yards against Kansas State, 66 yards against Colorado and 54 yards against West Virginia. Robinson said that the West Virginia game was the first time he felt truly comfortable on a collegiate gridiron. 

“It’s like going from eighth grade to being on the varsity,” he said. “You have to understand what you’re getting yourself into.”

Image courtesy of Tim Warner/Getty Images