2023 NFL Draft Snapshot: Bijan Robinson

On3 imageby:Joe Cook04/20/23

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When the dust finally settled in August of 2019 on Texas’ running back recruiting efforts, the Longhorns emerged from one of the wildest sets of recruitments at one position with the commitment of Bijan Robinson out of Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Ariz.

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The entire process had its twists and turns, as did Robinson’s recruitment. There was no nefariousness, but Ohio State was the leader coming out of his official visits. At some point over the summer, Robinson decided Texas and Stan Drayton’s running back room was the place for him as opposed to Columbus, Ohio.

His sensational college career started slow, with former head coach Tom Herman throttling the opportunities afforded to the five-star back. Plus, in one of those early touches in Lubbock, Robinson’s heels hit the back of his head. All he missed was a single week of action.

Robinson’s coming out party for Texas fans was a 12-carry, 113-yard showing in the win versus West Virginia. His national coming out party, the one that helped him top Jimmy Saxton’s decades-old yards per carry record, was versus Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. He had 12 touches for 220 yards and three touchdowns.

Under Steve Sarkisian in 2021 and 2022, Robinson was the undisputed feature back. He had six 100-yard games in 2021, including one where he carried the Longhorns to victory over TCU in Fort Worth with 35 carries for 216 yards and two scores. However, his season was cut short when, during a loss to Kansas, he dislocated his elbow and missed the final two games of the year.

Expectations soared for Robinson ahead of the 2022 campaign, and in almost every measure he delivered. Like any football player, he had some mistakes that cost Texas. Those mistakes were far outnumbered by the winning plays he made with the ball in his hands when the Horns needed them most.

A memorable career produced memorable moments. The long touchdown during Texas’ 2020 rout of Kansas State. Any touch versus Colorado. His touchdown reception in 2021 versus Texas Tech. Any of his gallops in the Cotton Bowl versus Oklahoma. His sensational rushes at the end of the half versus Kansas that left Quinn Ewers looking on in disbelief.

A 179-yard, two-touchdown day versus Baylor that had the 94,706 chanting his name capped his time on the Forty Acres. He leaves Texas fourth all-time in rushing yardage behind Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Earl Campbell. Robinson was named a unanimous first-team All-American and the 2022 Doak Walker Award winner, honoring the best running back in college football.

The end of the 2022 season was a proper sendoff at the end of a banner career, one where Robinson did every thing asked of him — and more. His demeanor and faith were there for all to see, not just Texas fans. His skill and marketability helped him land endorsement deals ranging from Raising Canes to Lamborghini Austin to Bijan Mustardson.

Once he declared for the draft, front offices and football ops were finally in a position to recognize just how special Robinson is as a person and player. He is a “face of the franchise” player in more ways than just on-field talent.

The market for running backs in the draft is not as strong as it was when ball-carriers were commonly top-five picks. There have been recent outliers, like Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley, but most teams try to save picks on running backs for later rounds.

Robinson is the type of prospect who will break that conventional wisdom. Whether running the ball or splitting out wide, he’s the type of player that can affect defenses in more ways than one. Individual team needs may keep Robinson out of the top 10, but there may not be a better person, or player, in the draft.

When the draft begins on Thursday, April 27, Robinson won’t have to wait long to hear his name called by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

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40-yard dash: 4.46 (1.54 10-yard split) | Bench: N/A| Vertical: 37 inches | Broad Jump: 10 feet 4 inches | 3 Cone: N/A | 20-yard shuttle: N/A | 60-yard shuttle: N/A | The Athletic draft grade: Round 1 (No. 6 overall)

Combine measurements: 5-foot-11, 215 pounds

What’s working for Robinson

  • Elite short-area quickness for someone 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds
  • Able to run behind a variety of schemes and make the most out of poorly blocked plays
  • Threat in the passing game, has a receiver skill set and was utilized in that way
  • Durable, only time missed in his career was due to two freak occurrences
  • Off-the-field darling, locker room leader
  • Requisite speed for the position in the NFL
  • Doesn’t avoid contact, knows when to lower the shoulder or to step out of bounds

What’s working against Robinson

  • Was often subbed out in third-down passing situations, pass pro is one of the few shortcomings in his game
  • Plays a position teams don’t like to spend top-32 draft capital on

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