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WATCH: Brian Robinson discusses impact Derrick Henry has made on career

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•03/03/22•

ChandlerVessels

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Brian Robinson has learned a lot from watching Derrick Henry in the NFL. Both running backs spent their entire college football careers playing for Alabama, with Robinson arriving in 2017, two years after Henry’s final season in Tuscaloosa.

Now Robinson has also played his last season with the Crimson Tide and is preparing to join Henry as a pro player. He spoke at the NFL combine Thursday about Henry’s mentorship to him and the brotherhood of Alabama football.

“I’ve been watching Derrick since he stepped into the league. I’ve watched his growth as a running back from Year 1 to now and how he took his game to the next level in the NFL. I watch all the guys that came through Alabama. They’re like my brothers now because we kind of went through the same process. We have respect for each other based on our experiences at Alabama. It’s good that I watch those guys so I can know what to expect when I’m stepping into that position.”

Brian Robinson and Derrick Henry first crossed paths when Robinson was being recruited to the Crimson Tide. Although they never played together in Tuscaloosa, Robinson still watched from afar as the Tennessee Titans star dominated the NFL. All the while, he was still waiting for his own chance to shine at Alabama.

During his first four years in college, Robinson played behind future NFL players Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris. He finally got his first opportunity to start this past season, and the fifth-year senior certainly didn’t take it for granted. Robinson proved his skill with a career-high 1,343 yards rushing and 16 total touchdowns in 2021, giving NFL teams good reason to consider drafting him in April.

Robinson is currently listed at the seventh-best running back prospect in the draft according to ESPN’s big board. He will have a chance to move up that list with a big performance at the NFL combine when the running backs take the field for drills Friday. After that he’ll hope to join the long list of Crimson Tide runners who have transitioned successfully from college to pro careers.

The 2022 NFL Draft is set to begin April 28 in Las Vegas and will conclude on April 30.