247 released their latest top 25 position projections, this time at running back. Incoming freshman Bijan Robinson among the list.
Recently 247 Sports put together their list of top quarterbacks for the 2020 season which included Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The next list of projections from 247 is the running backs. On this particular list one Texas running back made the list which included plenty of talented backs. Bijan Robinson comes in at number 23.
One of two true freshman in this Top 25, Robinson — a five-star — could flourish as a first-year player with the Longhorns after rushing for more than 7,000 yards at the prep level. He was the crown jewel in an impressive haul for Tom Herman.
The fact that a true freshman running back that has yet to take a snap for a team, much less actually stepped foot on his new campus is quite the compliment. There has been plenty of hype surrounding the number one running back in the country according to 247 composite rankings. Much of it is warranted considering what he was able to accomplish on the field in Arizona.
Other Big 12 running backs to make the list:
1: Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
10: Breece Hall, Iowa State
13: Pooka Williams, Kansas
20: Kennedy Brooks, Oklahoma
The Big 12 has plenty of talent at the position and which running back will stand the tallest by the end of the season will be exciting to watch. The Longhorns have three running backs who will likely be in the mix during 2020 season. However, Bijan Robinson should be the one who stands tallest for the Longhorns by seasons end.
Texas signee Bijan Robinson was named one of the top 10 playmakers out of the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.
Whenever there’s a list regarding the top prospects in the 2020 recruiting class, running back Bijan Robinson deserves to be on it.
The most recent recruiting cycle is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball. According to 247Sports, Texas signee Bijan Robinson is among the top ten playmakers in the nation.
The ten players range in positions from running back, quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end. A playmaker could have many meanings, perhaps it’s one who controls the flow of the teams offense. It could be a player who seems to provide highlight reels constantly. Unbelievable plays. Acrobatic catches. Unstoppable.
However you choose to define a playmaker, Robinson is just that. The Texas signee was the No. 1 running back in the nation by the end of his recruiting cycle. He’s the type of player that can do it all.
Robinson became the first running back in Arizona history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in three different seasons. The Salpointe Cathloic product finished his high school career with 7,036 yards and 112 total touchdowns.
The 6-0, 200-pound back participated in the All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl over the past few months, solidifying his ranking. He has terrific vision and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
This type of talent doesn’t come around often. Robinson is expected to make an immediate impact at Texas as a true freshman.
Withe the newest recruiting class coming in, we profile Bijan Robinson and what type of impact he could make in 2020.
For the Texas Longhorns in the 2020 recruiting class, there was no higher rated recruit than Bijan Robinson out of Salpointe Catholic of Arizona. He ended up as the number one running back in the country just ahead of North Shore’s Zachary Evans who was rated above him all the way up until right before National Signing Day.
Robinson’s Accomplishments:
7,036 high school career rushing yards
103 rushing touchdowns
836 receiving yards
nine receiving touchdowns
12.9 yards per rush / 13.5 yards per touch
Arizona 4A State record holder for Rushing Yards
Polynesian Bowl Participant
US Army All-American Game Participant
USA Today High School All-American
In high school it was like Robinson was a man among boys at the rate he destroyed opposing defenses. He helped lead the Salpointe Catholic football team to back to back to back state championship appearances but just couldn’t finish it off for the Lancers. Robinson will now look to help lead Texas to their first Big 12 Championship since their last National Championship run back in the 2009-2010 season.
Running the football was in his blood. Robinson’s uncle Paul was a running back for the Arizona Wildcats and went on to play six years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Oilers. There wasn’t a more complete back in this recruiting class than Robinson. He has the patience and vision that made him an elite talent at the high school level.
Running the ball isn’t the only way that the Texas Longhorns signee can impact the game as he made strides as a receiver out of the backfield. While Robinson only averaged just over 200 yards per season as a pass catcher, he shows the willingness is there. In the Texas offense, he will likely get more opportunity to catch the ball from quarterback Sam Ehlinger, just ask Keaontay Ingram.
For Robinson, he will likely split carries during his freshman season in Austin. However, he likely will get a lions share of the workload in his sophomore and junior seasons. He will be viewed as the next Longhorns running back that likely goes near the top of draft by the time he is done with his collegiate career. For now, Bijan Robinson will aim to be the best back on the field for the team in burnt orange.
The Texas Longhorns finished the 2020 recruiting class with the highest rated player in the Big 12 on USA Today Sports top 25.
The Texas Longhorns are enjoying another top ten recruiting class with two five-star signings according to 247 ratings. Along with the five-stars (Bijan Robinson, Alfred Collins), the team added 13 more players that finished with four-stars.
Robinson is arguably the top all-purpose back in the country, with the ability to hurt defenses as a runner or receiver. His combination of athleticism, speed and agility are exceptional. – Jason Jordan of USA Today Sports
The only other Big 12 school in the top 25 with a top recruit is the Oklahoma Sooners. Robinson will enroll in the fall and begin his college football career this season. The number one ranked running back in the nation according to 247 sports is drawing comparisons to current NFL running back Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints.
As spring football approaches for the Texas Longhorns, Longhorns Wire takes a look at the running back battle for 2020.
Over the history of the Texas Longhorns football program, they have put some of the very best running backs from Earl Campbell to Eric Metcalf to Ricky Williams to Cedric Benson to Jamaal Charles on the field at Darrel K. Royal-Memorial Stadium. There are many more that could be listed but you get the point, playing running back at University of Texas has launched many careers to the NFL.
The 2020 team is no exception. The Longhorns signed the number one running back in the nation with Bijan Robinson. Robinson won’t be in spring camp since he won’t officially enroll at Texas until the fall. He has had quite the winter with his appearance in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio and the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Balance, speed, vision, hands. Robinson has it all and that is why the Arizona product was ranked as the number one running back in the nation. While Bijan won’t be part of the spring football workouts and spring game, he is still one the backs to watch when he steps foot on the Forty Acres this fall.
Keaontay Ingram
Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
The incumbent starter, Keaontay Ingram finished his second season for the Longhorns. Ingram rushed the ball just two times more in 2019 than he did in 2018 for a total of 145 yards more. His total yards from scrimmage increased from 878 yards to 1,095 as he became more of an option in the passing game.
The former four-star back from Carthage, Texas has the leg up on the starting role given how he has performed for the Longhorns. The soon to be junior running back did split time with Roschon Johnson this season with a Ingram getting more carries by a narrow margin.
Roschon Johnson
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Johnson showed that he is the ultimate teammate in 2019. Following the injury to Jordan Whittington, Roschon made the switch to running back. He was listed on the depth chart as the second running back and third quarterback. The dual-threat is living up to the moniker as he is a threat to play two separate positions. It wouldn’t be surprising if Johnson could also help out at the wide receiver spot as well.
Roschon finished his first season at Texas with 146 touches, 807 yards and eight scores. Most of those numbers coming on the ground when asked to spell Ingram. Roschon should get more looks at running back in 2020 and during the spring based on how well he adapted this past season.
Jordan Whittington
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Jordan Whittington brought a lot of hype with him to Austin in 2019, unfortunately that was short-lived with his injury that robbed him of his freshman season. After suffering an injury against Louisiana Tech early on in the season, Whittington was shut down after two receptions for 17 yards. In 2020, a lot will be expected of him. He was listed as one of ESPN’s Top 25 breakout players in 2020.
Whittington was a star running back in high school and he could very well find himself in the mix at both running back and wide receiver come the fall. The Longhorns are going to have to find ways to replace the production of Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson who left for the NFL after graduating.
For Texas the running back room is suddenly chock full of talent and the best part is that new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will have plenty of options at his disposal for 2020.
Get to know the five highest-rated signees from Texas football’s impressive 2020 recruiting class.
Texas has had an impressive 2020 recruiting class up to this point, currently rated No. 11 in the nation. National Signing Day on the first Wednesday of February could still increase their overall ranking among other programs.
Let’s get to know the five highest-rated signees who could make an immediate impact for the Longhorns this season, courtesy of 247Sports Composite.
Bijan Robinson, RB
No. 1 running back in the nation, No. 15 overall prospect
Five-star
Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucscon, AZ)
6-0, 200 pounds
Pro comparison: Alvin Kamara
Signed Letter of Intent
Hudson Card, QB
No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, No. 57 overall prospect
Four-star
Lake Travis High School (Austin, TX)
6-2.5, 179 pounds
Pro Comparison: Will Grier
Early enrollee
Ja’Quinden Jackson, QB
No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, No. 73 overall prospect
Four-star
Duncanville High School (Duncanville, TX)
6-2, 219 pounds
Pro comparison: Dak Prescott
Signed Letter of Intent
Vernon Broughton, DT
No. 14 defensive tackle in the nation, No. 121 overall prospect
Four-star
Cy Ridge High School (Houston, TX)
6-5, 286 pounds
Pro comparison: Chris Wormley
Early enrollee
Prince Dorbah, LB
No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation, No. 126 overall prospect
Four-star
Highland Park High School (Dallas, TX)
6-2.5, 208 pounds
Pro comparison: D’Andre Walker
Signed Letter of Intent
Don’t forget about defensive end Alfred Collins. Currently graded as the No. 64 overall prospect in the country, Collins would be a significant addition to this class. He will be announcing his decision between Texas, Oklahoma, or Alabama on National Signing Day.
If Collins does in fact choose Texas, he would be the third-highest rated prospect in this class. Fortunately for the Longhorns, it’s at a critical position of need as well.
Ehlinger will be returning for his senior season, but the battle between Card and Jackson on who will be his successor will be an interesting one to watch.
Over the course of the years, there have become two primary signing days worth noting. In December of each year, known as the early signing period, top athletes can commit to their program of choice by signing National Letters of Intent.
Five-star running back Bijan Robinson took advantage of the early signing period, officially inking his commitment to Texas. Throughout much of the recruiting cycle, Robinson was ranked as the No. 2 running back in the nation behind Zachary Evans.
After impressive performances in the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl, Robinson climbed to the top spot in 247Sports final class rankings. The margin is slim between Robinson and Evans, but Robinson is the total package both on and off the field.
The Tucson, Arizona native became the first running back in Arizona history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in three different seasons.
Robinson should make an immediate impact as a true freshman at Texas.
It may be January, but it is never too early to begin talking about awards for the next season. Here is the early 2020 awards watchlist.
It may be January, but it’s never too early to begin talking about awards for the next season. Especially in a critical year for Texas, in which they are expected to perform at the highest level.
All three sides of the ball presented itself as issues throughout the seasons, with some of the biggest players not performing in the most critical games. In 2020, that must change and the best players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball need to be making plays throughout all four quarters.
Coaching may have been a part of it, but with new coordinator Mike Yurcich and Chris Ash, they are expected to put these players in the best positions available to make plays. Even with a brand new recruiting class coming in, freshman have the ability to make an instant impact on the field.
Looking a newcomer of the year, special teams player of the year, defensive player of the year, and offensive player of the year for 2020, they may not be the best or most talented player in their respective unit, but they will be the most valuable. Somebody who brings the entire team to a new level when they perform and when absent is a glaring hole.
Here is the early 2020 awards watchlist for the Longhorns.
Texas’ five-star running back Bijan Robinson showcased why he’s one of the nation’s top backs in the Polynesian Bowl.
Texas football fans will likely get used to seeing this.
Running back Bijan Robinson is the highest-rated player in head coach Tom Herman’s 2020 recruiting class. As we reported previously, Robinson participated in the Polynesian Bowl yesterday with fellow Texas signee Prince Dorbah.
Robinson demonstrated why he’s one of the nation’s top backs. With only eight carries, he rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Two of Texas’ top 2020 commits, Bijan Robinson and Prince Dorbah, will be participating in the Polynesian Bowl this Saturday.
There will be no shortage of talent on display at the Polynesian Bowl this Saturday, January 18, on CBS Sports Network. Held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, the country’s top high school players come together to celebrate culture alongside top level competition.
According to 247 Sports Composite, there are six five-start athletes on the roster. Dozens of four-star recruits will also be participating.
Two of the top rated players partaking have already committed to the University of Texas. Five-star running back Bijan Robinson and four-star outside linebacker Prince Dorbah are currently in Hawaii preparing for the game.
Robinson and Dorbah signed with Texas in December. Both will likely close out their high school seasons together in Aloha Stadium as many other 2020 commits have already arrived to campus in Austin.
