Brian Robinson returns to Hillcrest to motivate at youth football camp
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Brian Robinson was back in his old stomping grounds on Friday as he took part in the Next Gen youth football camp at his alma mater, Hillcrest High School. Joined by current Alabama players Caleb Downs and Kobe Prentice, Robinson helped lead campers through drills before answering their questions, signing autographs and posing for photos.
“I wanted to just leave an impact on these kids,” Robinson said. “At one point in time, I was one of these young kids running around at a camp and looking for opportunities to just get better and find ways to pursue a football career. I think that it was a perfect opportunity for me to come home and get in front of these kids and try to motivate them and show them there’s a way to do all of this, and I was in the same position all of those kids are in before. I just wanna guide them and show them it’s possible for everybody.”
According to the Next Gen website, these camps provide “premier youth camp experiences in collaboration with the nation’s top athletes,” which includes developmental experiences for the young athletes that attend while providing NIL opportunities for college student-athletes.
On Friday morning, roughly 50 kids from ages 6-16 were scattered across the field at Hillcrest High School – a sight that brought Robinson back to his youth and a reason he participated.
“I made so many memories just being out on the field,” Robinson said. “Even as a kid, playing and working out with kids and doing sports things like football camps and stuff like that. I made so many memories and so many reasons for me just to wanna continue in this profession.
“I can just think back on back in the day when I was working and coming up as a kid playing sports, and that just polished me into who I am in the sports field today. Just continue to do that over time, over years, and it just became a part of me. It just helped me stay focused with football all the way up to the pro level.”
Robinson reflects on rookie season in NFL
Robinson is now in the NFL after being selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft (Pick 98). The former Crimson Tide star missed the first four games of the 2022 season after he was shot twice while being robbed at gunpoint in Washington D.C. The rookie made his debut in Week 5 and played in the remaining 12 games, starting in nine of them, while rushing for 797 yards and two touchdowns on 205 carries (3.89 ypc average).
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He shared what he learned during his first full year in the league with the Commanders.
“I can never stop growing, I can never stop getting better, I can never stop learning,” Robinson said. “It’s always something to improve on, it’s always a way to take the next step in your game. The biggest thing with me is just finding a way to take the next step. Even when I think I might kind of have things down pat, I can still take the next step and get better and improve.”
Robinson is one of four former Alabama players on Washington’s current roster, along with a trio of defensive tackles, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and fellow 2022 draft pick Phidarian Mathis.
“I think we’ve got the Bama standard sold all throughout the building with guys like me, Phil – we’re obviously newcomers,” Robinson said. “But guys like Daron Payne and Jon Allen really set the tone in that building, are well-respected guys and they’re great leaders. They set the tone in the locker room, set the tone in the building. We’ve got a lot of great Alabama products in there that just make sure everybody’s staying on track.”
Robinson ready to see Tide backs in action
Alabama will have a new starting running back this fall with Jahmyr Gibbs turning pro after his lone season in Tuscaloosa. Two of the top options out of the backfield actually worked behind Robinson two years ago in Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, who spelled the then-senior before each suffering season-ending injuries. They are both seniors now, and Robinson said he expects big things from McClellan and Williams as they both step into leadership roles.
“They’ve been there long enough to know and understand the importance of the back ends of your running back years,” Robinson said. “I really just expected them to just step up to the plate and be the lead back and lead that running back room. They’ve got a crowded room. I expect them to be the leaders in that room and just show the young guys how it’s done.”
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