Seven days until Texas Football: Keilan Robinson and his many roles; B.J. Allen Jr. looking to contribute
Inside Texas is putting a new twist on long-time photographer Will Gallagher’s time-honored countdown to Texas football kickoff. In addition to Will’s great pictures, the Inside Texas staff will go through every player on the roster by jersey number and offer a season outlook on each, from five-star to walk-on.
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We’ll also look back at other greats to wear that day’s number, with special reverence to some of Texas’ best.
Today is seven days until kickoff. No. 7 for the Longhorns this season will be worn by Keilan Robinson, a senior running back, and B.J. Allen Jr., a redshirt freshman defensive back.
Keilan Robinson season outlook
Robinson does it all for Texas. He carries the football, he catches the football, and is a significant contributor on multiple special teams units.
At 5-foot-9 and just under 200 pounds, the way Robinson is utilized is a key determinant in how much success he’ll have. He’s an option for between the tackles running, but that’s not the best use of his skill set. Forcing defenders to have to account for him in a variety of ways snap to snap is the method most conducive to success for Robinson, now entering his third year in the program.
Additionally, Robinson will continue to be a key contributor on special teams in the return, block, and coverage game. Robinson is one of the most important Longhorns for 2023 not only because of his ability, but because of how much he is used throughout the course of a game.
Robinson has appeared in 24 games with four starts in his two years at Texas. He transferred from Alabama in 2021 and joined the Longhorns as a junior.
Robinson has rushed for 408 yards and three TDs on 70 career carries and has also been a weapon in the passing game, catching 27 passes for 276 yards and three more scores. He was a 2022 honorable mention All-Big 12 selection as a return specialist by the league’s coaches and also earned honorable mention All-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022 after garnering honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors in 2021.
Robinson was a member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (spring 2023).
Keilan Robinson as a recruit
B.J. Allen Jr. season outlook
Allen Jr. is in search of playing time after a full-on redshirt season in 2022. He will likely be a part of special teams units and make appearances as needed behind Texas’ top tier of safeties.
Allen did not see any game action during the 2022 season. He was a member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (spring 2023).
B.J. Allen Jr. as a recruit
Recent player to wear No. 7: Michael Huff
All-Americans to wear No. 7
Michael Huff, S, 2004 and 2005
