Bijan Robinson says there will not be a drop-off at RB for Texas

The Texas Longhorns will take on the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl without star running back Bijan Robinson after the team leader announced his declaration for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday and opted out of the postseason bowl game.

Robinson met with the media to discuss his declaration and the legacy he leaves behind in Austin on Monday. During his press conference, he shared his confidence in his fellow running backs’ ability to fill his role in the Alamo Bowl and on into the 2023 season.

“Jonathon (Brooks), Keilan (Robinson), Jaydon Blue, those guys right there are talented dudes,” Robinson said. “There’s not going to be really a drop-off, those guys are always just learning from me and Ro (Roschon Johnson), how to lead by example, on and off the field, and when you start having some success in college football, knowing how to handle it. It’s cool to have that success but if you don’t do it right off the field too, it doesn’t matter.

“I’m always trying to just preach in their ear to always be the consistent great person that you are. Never change for anybody or anything, because when you do, that’s when things get stripped from you. Those guys right there, I can’t wait to see them in a bowl game, I think they’re going to play amazing. They’re going to play with confidence and I’ll be right there next to them.”

Behind Robinson and Johnson this season, the Longhorns running backs had a combined 56 carries. Brooks led the group of backups behind the one-two-punch duo with 24 carries for 179 yards and four touchdowns.

Robinson declares for NFL draft, opts out of Alamo Bowl

After the most productive season of his career for the Longhorns, Bijan Robinson is headed for the 2023 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-0, 220-pound running back could become the team’s first first-round pick in the draft since Malcom Brown in 2015.

Robinson finished ninth in voting for the Heisman Trophy after totaling over 100 all-purpose yards in all but one contest in 2022. He eclipsed 100 yards rushing in nine of 12 games. He scored 20 total touchdowns, finishing with 1,894 total yards for the year.

For his career, Robinson rushed for 3410 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 805 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 7.0 yards over his 599 career touches.