Brian Robinson selected by Commanders in Round 3
Former Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. is now a member of the Washington Commanders. On Friday night, the Tuscaloosa native was selected amongst the top 100 picks (No. 98 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, making him the sixth Crimson Tide player to be taken.
This also means that he’ll be reuniting with former Alabama teammate Phidarian Mathis in Washington.
Robinson was afforded a rare extra season of eligibility due to the COVID rule. That means by the end of his career, he had rushed for 2,704 yards and 29 touchdowns while also adding 446 yards and 2 scores as a receiver out of the backfield. Prior to 2021, however, Robinson had never exceeded 500 yards in a season.
Then as a fifth-year senior, he broke out by putting up 1,639 yards (1,343 rushing, 296 receiving) and 16 touchdowns on 306 total touches.
Despite dealing with injuries at various points this past year, Robinson battled through and proved to be a perfect example of Nick Saban’s “Process.” In fact, if you were to ask the Alabama head coach, he’d tell you how much respect he has for his now-former running back.
Back during the team’s Pro Day last month, Saban spoke about how much he appreciates stories such as Robinson’s.
“I always say that people having resiliency — which means they have persistence, they can overcome adversity, they don’t get frustrated, they learn from their feelings. These are all things that are critical to development. And I think Brian Robinson — as Mac Jones was last year — is a great example of a guy who kept his head down. Kept working. Showed great resiliency and perseverance,” Saban told reporters. “Continued to work on trying to improve. Whether it’s his speed, his knowledge of the game, his hands — whatever it was to make himself a better player to where he had a great year this year. Was very productive. Now has an opportunity to play at the next level.
“So, I think those are great stories to be told to most college players that stories like this, people have a tremendous amount of respect for. Guys that showed an ability to overcome adversity. To be able to have success. I think that’s something that, it’s hard to be a great competitor if you can’t overcome adversity.”
Coming out of high school, Harris was a four-star prospect who rated as the nation’s No. 140 overall player, No. 10 running back and No. 6 player from the state of Alabama, according to the On3 Consensus rankings. He was the second of two running backs signed in the 2017 recruiting class, joining fellow running mate Najee Harris.
Other Robinson and NFL Draft Stories
Alabama OL Evan Neal lands with Giants after going No. 7 overall
Lions trade up to take Alabama WR Jameson Williams No. 12 overall
Alabama football’s steals of the 2022 NFL Draft
Moody shares what he can learn from Brian Robinson waiting his turn
Saban shares trait shared by Brian Robinson, Mac Jones at Bama Pro Day
Saban says “people have a tremendous amount of respect for” stories like Robinson
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