Bijan Robinson reveals weight increase, feels 'even more explosive'

Texas running back Bijan Robinson is trying to build off a huge 2021 season. What’s scary is he feels “even more explosive” thanks to a big offseason change.

Robinson told reporters he weighed in at 222 pounds, which is up from 214 pounds last year as a sophomore. Even with the increased weight, he still wanted to keep his 90-yard speed and clocked in at 22.3 miles per hour on the GPS, according to ESPN’s Chris Low.

As a sophomore in 2021, Robinson ran for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns while also totaling 295 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the air as a big part of the Texas offense. He earned first team All-Big 12 honors for his efforts and is poised to play a big role once again this year, even with some major upgrades on offense.

With so many new faces — including highly touted quarterback Quinn Ewers — Robinson said he’d be interested in getting even more involved in the passing game. Those comments came before transfer wide receiver Isaiah Neyor suffered a season-ending knee injury, which could mean the star running back gets more looks in that aspect of Steve Sarkisian’s offense.

“If I have the opportunity to get in space against a linebacker or a safety or even a corner and it’s a great matchup, I would like to get the ball in my hands, make a mismatch,” Robinson said. “I feel when I get the ball in my hands against those kind of guys in space, that’s when the long plays happen, the touchdowns. So I think whatever opportunity I can have to make the team better, I’ll do it.”

Robinson is going to be a key player as Texas tries to improve on last season’s 5-7 record in Sarkisian’s first season at the helm. Expectations are getting higher, too, since Texas received 164 votes for the preseason AP Top 25.