Skip to main content
texas logo

Bijan Robinson ranked as No. 1 RB, No. 7 overall 2023 draft prospect by Mel Kiper

Joe Cookby:Joe Cook•11/03/22•

josephcook89

On3 image
Bijan Robinson (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Longtime ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper is in the thick of his research on likely 2023 NFL Draft prospects, and updated his big board on Thursday morning. That update included a lot of love for one of the best currently suiting up for the Texas Longhorns.

[Get FOUR MONTHS of Inside Texas Plus for $1!]

UT junior running back Bijan Robinson was ranked as the No. 1 running back and the No. 7 overall prospect by the longtime draft prognosticator. A ranking that high indicates a first-round selection in Kiper’s opinion, something the Longhorns haven’t had since the New England Patriots selected Malcom Brown with the 32nd overall pick in 2015.

“Robinson does everything for Texas,” Kiper wrote on ESPN. “He runs inside, he runs outside, he catches passes and he scores a lot of touchdowns. I’m a big fan. Robinson’s 2021 season ended when he dislocated his left elbow, but he showed elite ability in those 10 games. He led the FBS in broken tackles forced per game (4.1) and averaged 112.7 rushing yards per game. He is a cut-and-go runner with outstanding vision and explosiveness. Another thing I like about Robinson’s game is: He catches passes with his hands, not his body. He has 58 catches in three seasons, averaging 13.3 yards per reception.”

Kiper said he believes Robinson would go somewhere in the first 32 picks if he remains healthy, even with the pro game’s recent unwillingness to use early round picks at the position.

A third-year junior out of Tucson (Ariz.) Salpointe Catholic, Robinson has rushed for 2750 yards in his career with 26 touchdowns on the ground. He also has eight receiving touchdowns to make for 34 total scores.

This season, Robinson has rushed for 920 yards on 162 carries with 11 scores. Through the air, he has 17 catches for 280 yards and two scores. Ahead of Robinson was No. 1 overall prospect Will Anderson, Jalen Carter, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Bryce Young, and Peter Skoronski.

Running backs who were ranked behind Robinson were Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Achane, Zach Charbonnet, Travis Dye, Kendre Miller, Zach Evans, Sean Tucker, DeWayne McBride, and Chase Brown.

Despite the lofty ranking and ability to declare for the draft after the season, Robinson has sidestepped any questions about his future plans dating back to the preseason.

With 33 rushing yards on Saturday versus the No. 13 Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, Kan., Robinson would move to the No. 9 spot in Texas’ all-time rushing leaderboard past D’Onta Foreman.

The Longhorns and the Wildcats face off at 6 p.m. on Saturday on FS1.

You may also like