There are few players in a rivalry that you develop legitimate respect for during their tenure with your most hated foe. Over the last three years, Bijan Robinson was the Texas Longhorn that created the most concern for the Oklahoma Sooners. Now he’s headed to the NFL.
“I’ve done everything that I tried to do in God’s plan for me while I’ve been here,” Robinson said at a news conference announcing the decision Monday. “It’s time to start the new journey. I’m just excited to figure out another part of my life, just like I tried to figure it out here.”
So long, old pal. We won’t miss you.
He finished a fantastic run in Austin in 2022 by leading the Big 12 in rushing yards and touchdowns and finished No. 5 in the nation with 1,580 yards. His 18 touchdowns on the ground were tied for fourth in the country with Michigan standout Blake Corum.
While he didn’t win the Heisman, leaves Texas without a conference championship, and went just 1-2 against the Sooners, he was one of the best players in the Big 12 during his time with the Longhorns. In three seasons, he ran for 3,340 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also had another 804 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during his career. On some average Texas teams.
Only Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and Earl Campbell rushed for more yards than Robinson, and they each played four seasons for the Longhorns. Among the top five runners in rushing yards in Longhorns history (including Jamaal Charles), Bijan Robinson has the highest yards per attempt of the five.
After the Sooners bottled him up for just 17 yards on five carries during his freshman year in 2020, Robinson made life difficult for Oklahoma in the next two Red River Showdowns. In 2021, he rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, but it wasn’t enough as the Texas defense collapsed.
The Sooners’ defense struggled to contain him again in 2022 as Robinson ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the Longhorns’ 49-0 win in the Red River Showdown.
When the Texas defense or quarterback situation failed, Robinson was the one part of the Texas team that was reliable and consistent. And now he takes his talents to the NFL.
His ability to run with power and break big runs was unmatched in the Big 12. It’s what made him a terror for opposing defenses and also what made him a lot of fun to watch when it wasn’t your team on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
And it’s that blend of power and speed that will make him an intriguing NFL prospect. He’ll have a shot to be drafted in the first round even as the running back position has been devalued in recent years. He was simply a great player for Texas and one we’re glad to see go to the NFL.
He’s their problem now.
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