Bijan Robinson wins the 2022 Doak Walker Award
Texas running back Bijan Robinson has accomplished more than most other running backs during his three years on the Forty Acres. On Thursday night, he may have earned his greatest accomplishment to date. Robinson was named the recipient of the 2022 Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top running back. Robinson is the fourth Longhorn to win the award, joining two-time winner Ricky Williams in 1997 and 1998, Cedric Benson in 2004, and D’Onta Foreman in 2016.
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He edged out fellow finalists Blake Corum of Michigan and Chase Brown of Illinois.
Robinson, a third-year player from Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic, dazzled during his junior campaign. He had over 100 total yards in all but one contest in 2022, and eclipsed 100 yards rushing in nine of 12 games. He scored 20 total touchdowns and led the nation in yards from scrimmage during his standout season.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian utilized Robinson as the bell cow back, even with Roschon Johnson on the roster. Robinson had over 20 rushes in nine games and over 25 total touches in five games. According to Pro Football Focus, he forced 104 missed tackles and rushed for 1,066 yards after contact.
He was a threat to defenses in multiple ways. In addition to his 1580 yards rushing, he caught 19 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns during the Longhorns’ 12-game campaign.
For his career, Robinson rushed for 3410 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 805 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 7.0 yards over his 599 career touches.
His accolades aren’t limited to 2022. He was named to the All-Big 12 first team in 2021, earning Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalist honors. He was an honorable mention for Big 12 offensive player of the year in 2021 and 2022. He is likely to be Texas’ first All-American since Joseph Ossai in 2020.
In 2020, he broke Texas’ longstanding record for yards per carry with his 8.2 yards per carry on 86 carries.
Robinson hasn’t made a public decision as to whether he’ll play in Texas’ upcoming matchup with Washington in the Valero Alamo Bowl, nor on if he’ll return for his senior season.
No matter what he chooses, his 2022 campaign earned the distinction of being the best running back in the country. With it, he joins elite company with other running backs like Williams, Benson, and Foreman to have earned the honor of the top running back in the country in a given year.
