Bijan Robinson, RB Texas: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Robinson was a five-star recruit from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz. in the class of 2020

Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson is arguably the most accomplished high school running back in college football today. His skills have transcended the divide between high school and college because he’s the consensus top running back entering the year and a potential first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Bijan Robinson, RB Texas: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior running back from Tucson, Ariz.

Background: Robinson was a five-star recruit from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 15 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 18 for Rivals, and No. 17 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 21st (four-star) in the nation with an 88 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, Robinson was the 2019-20 Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona when he carried the ball 126 times for 2,235 yards and 38 touchdowns (17.7 yards per carry/203.2 yards per game). He added 12 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Robinson rushed for 2,400 yards and 35 touchdowns on 170 carries as a high school junior and 2,023 yards and 26 touchdowns on 189 carries as a sophomore. Robinson was the first athlete in Arizona history to twice win the Ed Doherty Award as the state’s top high school football player. He is Arizona’s all-time leader in rushing yards (7,036) and touchdowns (114). Robinson was invited to the All-American Bowl. His grandfather (Cleo Robinson) was an all-state linebacker and track standout in high school and went on to participate in track & field at Northern Arizona. Robinson’s great uncle (Paul Robinson) played running back at Arizona before being selected in the third round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Paul rushed for 2,947 yards during a six-year career which included two Pro Bowls and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 1968 when he led the league in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns.

2021 Production: 10 games, 195 carries, 1,127 yards, 11 touchdowns + 26 receptions, 295 yards, 4 touchdowns

2020 Production: 9 games, 86 carries, 703 yards, 4 touchdowns + 15 receptions, 196 yards, 2 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed one game with a back strain (2020), missed two games with a dislocated elbow (2021)

Awards: 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP, 2021 First-Team All-Big 12, Maxwell Award Semifinalist (2021), Doak Walker Award Semifinalist (2021), Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalist (2021)

Pros: Has the frame to develop into a solid pass protector, averaged over six yards after contact per attempt as a freshman, finishes forward, lined up at wide receiver roughly 30 times in 2021, drags defenders for extra yards, large and muscular frame, drops his pads into contact, makes open field cuts at full speed, elite burst and acceleration through the hole, moves the pile, contact balance to survive arm tackles and high tackle attempts, doesn’t turn 21 until the end of January, has the speed to bounce runs outside, easily redirects without losing his momentum or pace, contributes on third downs as a pass catcher, loose and bendy lower body, speed is automatic and creates separation from defenders, creative runner, vision, stop-start acceleration is ridiculous

Cons: Three fumbles and three drops in 2021, minimal time spent in the slot, lacks special teams experience, route tree lacks diversity, not as stout or aggressive as you would like in pass protection, not comfortable making catches with a defender crowding his space, inconsistent at making the first defender miss, not truly twitchy

Overview: Robinson is unofficially listed at 6'0", 220 lbs. His 79 forced missed tackles in 2021 were tied for the third-most in the nation (Kenneth Walker led the way with 89). Robinson is THE running back in the 2023 draft. Barring the emergence of any superstars during the upcoming season, Robinson is the only running back with the potential to find himself mocked as a consensus first round selection. His developing receiving skills mean he’s able to contribute on third downs, and his burst, contact balance, movement skills, and speed are all elite for a 220 lb. back. Keep in mind, Robinson doesn’t turn 21 years old until this coming January. The only clear knocks against the Arizona native are his passive and insufficient technique in pass protection and a lack of true twitch (which is understandable at his size).

Overall, Robinson has all of the physical traits a team could ask for in a first round running back. Barring a significant drop off or injuries, Robinson will be the highest-graded running back prospect since Saquon Barkley.

Role & Scheme Fit: Feature three-down back in an inside or outside zone scheme

Round Projection: Mid First to Late First

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-17-22