Bijan Robinson ranked as the fifth-best player in college football by ESPN
The college football preseason is in full swing, which means various outlets are putting together player rankings, postseason accolades are making watch lists, and more announcements meant to drive discussion are coming out daily. The latest comes from ESPN, which named Texas running back Bijan Robinson as the fifth-best player in college football regardless of position.
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Per ESPN’s Ryan McGee, the methodology was simply this: “Voters were presented with a series of one-on-one votes. For example, ‘Who will be better in 2022: Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Caleb Williams?’ Think of it as an Oklahoma Drill of statistical reasoning. More than 11,000 votes later, these were the results.”
Robinson was the No. 1 running back and No. 1 Big 12 player on the list. ESPN wrote that Robinson has “Heisman potential” and is “primed for a huge year.” Fellow Longhorn Xavier Worthy also made the 100-man list, checking in at No. 51. Those were the only two Texas players to be honored.
Robinson, a junior out of Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Ariz., rushed for 1127 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He also recorded 295 receiving yards and four receiving scores in 2021. Robinson missed the last two games due to injury, suffering a dislocated elbow versus Kansas.
Ahead of Robinson on the list was Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 4, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 3, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at No. 2, and Alabama EDGE Will Anderson at No. 1.
Players on the Longhorns’ 2022 schedule include Anderson, Young, Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn (No. 12), Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 20), Alabama safety Jordan Battle (No. 23), Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner (No. 24), Iowa State defensive lineman Will McDonald (No. 50), Alabama linebacker Henry To’o To’o (No. 54), Oklahoma State defensive end Collin Oliver (No. 57), Oklahoma wide receiver Marvin Mims (No. 64), Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (No. 70), Iowa State wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson (No. 77), Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (No. 91), and Alabama offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. (No. 96).
In addition to ESPN’s honor, CBS Sports named Robinson a first-team preseason All-American on Wednesday.
