Bijan Robinson discusses his relationship with 'big brother' Ricky Williams

Bijan Robinson is attempting to be everything Ricky Williams was to the Texas Longhorns and more. As the past and present of the Texas Longhorns collide, Robinson is a sponge around Williams — learning everything he can from the winner of the 1998 Heisman Trophy.

In a conversation with FOX College Football’s Joel Klatt, Robinson discussed his relationship with his ‘big brother’ in Williams.

“So me and Ricky, we met in the summer actually in Arizona, for some event that was going out there in Scottsdale. They invited me and him to sit at the table together. That whole time, for about six hours, we were just chopping it up,” said Robinson. “Just everything about his experiences in college, about my experiences that are still going on, and what I should look out for .. the connections I should make while I’m here. Ever since then, he’s been in my ear. We’ve been texting a lot, he’s always given me good advice. Maybe about football, how to hit that hole, maybe how to hit a different hole .. just even life.

“So he’s been a huge big brother for me. I just appreciate him so much, guiding my steps because he took my steps. His steps were amazing, and I’m just trying to follow his.”

To this day, Williams is still the record holder of every major rushing category for the Longhorns. In just his sophomore year, Robinson is attempting to get close to some of his marks.

So far this season, the current Texas running back has shown to be similar to his mentor. Robinson is evoking memories of Williams running the football, as he’s been mentioned in the Heisman conversation on multiple occasions.

Bijan Robinson aka ‘Lil Ricky’

Perhaps nothing details the relationship between Robinson and Williams better than the nickname the latter gave the Longhorns young star. During an interview with ESPN’s Dave Wilson, Williams dubbed the sophomore star ‘Little Ricky’ — a play on the nickname ‘Little Earl’ given to Williams early in his Texas career more than 20 years ago.

“I threw it out there because when the name comes from inside the circle, I think it means more than when it comes from outside the circle,” Williams told ESPN’s Dave Wilson. “You can say a lot of things about expectations. But the reason I came to Texas was because of expectations. The reason I came to Texas was to win the Heisman Trophy, to be special. And so, me giving him that name is me telling him that: That’s my expectation.”

Bijan Robinson is only in his sophomore season, but he has already ascended into the conversation with Earl Campbell and Williams.

Whether Robinson can deliver Texas’ third Heisman Trophy remains unknown, but the excitement is high amongst the Longhorns, past and present.