Bijan Robinson opens up on opting out of Texas Longhorns' Alamo Bowl game

Bijan Robinson declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, but the Texas Longhorns running back won’t suit up for the team in the Alamo Bowl against Washington. The star ball carrier spoke on the decision Monday while maintaining support for his teammates.

“Sark you know, he told me, you know, right away you’ve got to pray on the decision for sure,” Robinson said. “And, you know, he knew that it was time to wrap it up. Just because of the risk of injury and everything like that and I know for me, I’ll be covered by God if I go play or not play, but you know, it was just a smart decision.”

Robinson set career highs in his final season at Texas. He finished with 258 carries, 1,580 yards, 18 touchdowns, 6.1 yards per carry, 19 catches, 314 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions.

The Longhorns running back would’ve been appointment viewing in the team’s final game of the year.

“And I just knew that it was gonna be hard for me to not play because honestly I’m such a competitor,” Robinson said. “Like I always want to be out there with my teammates and help in any way I can. Which I’ll still be out there with them supporting them and making sure that they’re always focused on the game and doing the right things. 

“But, you know, it was definitely a tough decision for me. (It’s not me) trying to be selfish at all because of course I want to go out there and be out there with my guys and (I’ll) just support them in any and every way I can. Just (I’m just being) on the safe side. I’ll just go out there and be a voice and not be on the field.”

Robinson finished his Texas career with 539 carries, 3,410 yards, 33 touchdowns, 6.3 yards per carry, 60 catches, 805 receiving yards and eight touchdown receptions.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Robinson was a five-star prospect out of Tucson (Ari.) Salpointe Catholic, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 running back prospect in the class and the No. 16 overall prospect.

Running back is not a popular choice for NFL teams in the first round. However, with how athletic and versatile Robinson is, he has a great chance of being one of the first 32 players selected on a Thursday night in April.

If Robinson does so, he will be the first first-round pick to come out of Texas since Malcolm Brown in 2015. Going back even further Vince Young was the last offensive first-rounder to wear burnt orange, dating back to the 2006 NFL Draft.

No. 21 Texas (8-4) takes on No. 12 Washington (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl Dec. 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET.