Bijan Robinson not comparing himself to specific NFL RBs

Texas running back Bijan Robinson announced this week that he would be forgoing the team’s bowl game and declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. Robinson is regarded by many as the top running back prospect of this draft class, drawing comparisons to Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey. Through those comparisons, he was asked if he would try to model his game after some of those players or just be himself.

“That’s it, I’m just gonna be me,” Robinson said. “Obviously those are great guys that a lot of people are trying to compare me to, but I want to set a new legacy for myself.”

Robinson being himself surely worked at the college level at Texas for him, rushing for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns during his three-year career, both ranking in within the top 10 all-time in Texas’ school record books. His career resume with the Longhorns definitely speaks for itself, and he’s looking to do the same thing at the next level.

“And I want to go up to the NFL and try to do everything that I’ve done here, do everything the right way and never look back on anything and always be sure of the decision God has given me. Because I know if I do it like that then everything’s going to take care of itself,” Robinson said.

On the field this year Robinson’s play spoke for itself ending the 2022 season with 1,580 rushing yards, ranking fifth in the nation, and 18 rushing touchdowns, tied for third in the nation. He was a unanimous All-American selection and took home the Doak Walker Award following the season, awarded annually to the top running back in college football.

Despite all of the stats, achievements, and accolades, Robinson is still more concerned with the image he portrays and the example he’s setting over modeling his game after others.

“So I want to be a guy that all the kids can look up to at a different level and that’s kind of the legacy that I want to set here for sure,” Robinson said.

Robinson has set a good example on and off the field throughout the duration of his collegiate career, and looking ahead, him doing that same at the professional level is a safe bet. The Longhorns will take on No. 12 Washington in the Valero Alamo Bowl without Robinson on December 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET airing on ESPN.