How Alabama transfer Keilan Robinson has sparked Texas offense

First-year Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian brought plenty of people from Tuscaloosa to Austin when he accepted the job this offseason. After spending time with Nick Saban at Alabama, the former Pac-12 head coach looked to restart his career by keeping familiar faces around.

In addition to an Alabama infused coaching staff, Steve Sarkisian brought a couple players from the transfer portal, among those came Keilan Robinson. Over his time at Alabama, Robinson seldom played at running back, but became a key contributor on special teams. With an increased role on offense, the junior has not forgotten his roots.

“It’s been great,” Sarkisian told the media when asked about Robinson’s offensive impact. “Keilan’s been a really cool addition for us as a team. I know we recognize what he’s doing offensively but quite frankly what he’s doing on special teams as well.”

Steve Sarkisian has used Keilan Robinson in a variety of ways, creating a change of pace for the offense. Where most upperclassmen would struggle sitting behind a Heisman candidate like Bijan Robinson, Keilan Robinson embraces the opportunity the same way he did at Alabama.

Leadership on special teams

Robinson’s impact also comes on special teams, where he plays all over the field in several formations. The veteran player learned to accept any role on the special teams unit, a tradition which has lived at Alabama under Nick Saban’s tenure.

“He’s been a dynamic playmaker and you don’t always have to have the ball in your hand to be a playmaker – especially on special teams – and he’s done it,” said Sarkisian. “Whether its blocking punts, making critical blocks in the punt return, to covering on kick offs, to being a really cool changeup for us offensively.”

So far this season, Robinson has 23 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns. He also made two receptions for 12 yards and returned one punt for 28 yards. On special teams, Robinson has two tackles and a blocked punt on the stat sheet.

“I think he definitely provides a spark to our team and an energy to our team,” said Sarkisian.

As Steve Steve Sarkisian continues his career at Texas, securing more players like Keilan Robinson will be critical to his success. The selfless leadership – which should not come as a surprise given Robinson’s major in Communication and Leadership – is the type of thing which galvanizes a team toward a common goal.