Ricky Williams developing relationship with current Texas running back

Texas football legend Ricky Williams continues to make his presence felt in the program by developing a relationship with Austin’s latest star Bijan Robinson. During an interview with ESPN’s Dave Wilson, Williams dubbed the sophomore star ‘Little Ricky,’ a play on the nickname ‘Little Earl’ given to Williams early in his Texas career more than 20 years ago.

To be compared to Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell brings pressure, it comes with an expectation of dominance and consistency for a contending team.

“I threw it out there because when the name comes from inside the circle, I think it means more than when it comes from outside the circle,” Williams told ESPN’s Dave Wilson. “You can say a lot of things about expectations. But the reason I came to Texas was because of expectations. The reason I came to Texas was to win the Heisman Trophy, to be special. And so, me giving him that name is me telling him that: That’s my expectation.”

The two running backs finally met in person this summer during an event in Arizona. Robinson told Williams he embraces all that comes with the comparisons and now celebrates a new relationship.

“It was just like having a big brother,” Robinson told ESPN. “We saw each other, and it was instant love. We talked for about four hours on what he’s done here and how he can help me. He taught me the ropes in the little time that we were together. It was really inspiring.”

Comparing Texas legends

Earl Campbell set the tone for all future Texas running backs during his outstanding four-year career from 1974-1977. The 1977 Heisman Trophy winner ran for 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns, adding one receiving touchdown in his senior season. Texas’ first Heisman Trophy winner then went No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft before Hall of Fame career with the Oilers and Saints.

Ricky Williams stepped into the shadow of that legend when he arrived on campus in 1995. He had plans of winning the school’s second Heisman Trophy and delivered in 1998, 21 years after his predecessor.

Williams ran for 6,279 yards with 72 touchdowns over four seasons at Texas. He added 927 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

“I don’t want to put the pressure on him, but he already knows,” said Williams. “People would ask me if I felt a lot of pressure. I’d say no, because the pressure I put on myself is much greater than the pressure anyone else could put on me. I feel like Bijan has that kind of confidence.”

Bijan Robinson is only entering his sophomore season but has already ascended into the conversation with Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams.

He ran for 703 yards and four touchdowns, adding 196 receiving yards and two touchdowns while splitting time with Keaontay Ingram, who transferred this season. Week One set up a big 2021 campaign with 176 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against Louisiana.

Whether Robinson can deliver Texas’ third Heisman Trophy remains unknown, but the excitement is high amongst the Longhorns, past and present.