With the release of safety Jarrod Wilson, the door was opened for James Robinson to return to the jersey number that he’s worn for most of his career. The second-year running back, who wore No. 30 as he rushed for over 1,000 yards as an undrafted rookie in 2020, will be returning to his roots, wearing the No. 25 jersey moving forward that he wore in college at Illinois State.
Wearing No. 25 as a senior for the Redbirds, Robinson totaled 1,899 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns and finished as the second all-time leading rusher in ISU history.
.@Robinson_jamess is going back to his roots with a new number this season.#DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 6, 2021
Robinson came out of nowhere as a rookie phenom for the Jags, finishing tied for fifth in the league in rushing with 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns. After the addition of first-round pick Travis Etienne, it was expected that Robinson’s carry percentage would diminish in 2021.
But after Etienne’s season-ending foot injury, the Jaguars only have two other running backs, Carlos Hyde and Dare Ogunbowale, currently on the roster. Hyde is a veteran and Ogunbowale registered two starts for the Jags last season, but neither presents game-changing abilities like Etienne does.
As a result, Robinson will likely once again be the primary rusher for the Jacksonville offense, especially as offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell tries to get rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence acclimated to the scheme and speed of the NFL game.
Robinson jumped on the opportunity to get his old number back, and the Jaguars will hope he looks like he did at Illinois State while wearing it.