‘God Has A Plan’: Texas RB Bijan Robinson Discusses Potential NFL Landing Spots

Bijan Robinson could be the first running back since Saquon Barkley to be selected in the top 10

Running back or not, Texas Longhorns sensation Bijan Robinson is one of the top players in this year’s draft. 

The size? Check. Straight line speed? Check. Versatility as a pass-catcher? Add that to the mix, as well. 

Robinson, who is set to test Sunday at the NFL Scouting Combine, will have the chance to prove he’s worthy of a top-10 selection. Where could he land?

So long as Robinson hears his name called, he’s content starting fresh elsewhere. 

“You just never know on that day where you’re going to go. For me, it’s just important to keep enjoying the moment,” Robinson said Saturday morning at the Indianapolis Convention Center during his media session. “We might get to draft day and some surprises can happen. We just never know. For me, I’m just trying to keep staying positive. Always know that the blessings are here and just keep having fun doing it.”

A three-year starter on The Forty Acres, Robinson will have the chance to become the first running back since Travis Etienne and Najee Harris to be drafted in the first round. The reigning Doak Walker Award has garnered comparisons to New York Giants Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley, who heard his name called at No. 2 back in 2018. 

The running back position has been devalued over the previous years due to the uptick in passing offenses. Last season, former Iowa State running back Breece Hall was the first running back selected by the New York Jets at pick No. 36. 

Bijan Robinson is holding court at the Combine…

I asked him about his extraordinary contact balance:

“I'm a knee-bender when I run the ball … another guy that was a knee-bender was Barry Sanders.”

Said he watches tape on Barry every other day. 💪 pic.twitter.com/zXgjVsMmfm

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 4, 2023

Robinson understands that despite being considered the most complete running back since Barkley, he might fall down draft boards. Still, teams covet playmakers, and few can make the same impact as the junior from Tempe, Ariz. 

“If you’re a guy that can do all three on the football field for your offense, I think that’s a very special quality in a player,” Robinson said. “You can line up a player at receiver, at slot, or obviously at running back. Just creating mismatches for defenders all over the field and being able to create space for yourself and create space for the offense and opening up the offense, I think that is just like a high value that everybody should look at.

“It’s important to see those kinds of skill sets and just how we go about our business on the field.”

Last season, Robinson totaled 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns en route to an 8-5 finish with the Longhorns in 2022. He also tacked on 314 receiving yards off 19 receptions and averaged 16.5 yards per catch. 

Among FBS skill players, Robinson finished second in total touchdowns (20), trailing only Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda (21). 

Countless teams have met and conducted formal and informal interviews with Robinson since his arrival in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Following Sunday’s testing, Robinson will return to Austin and strut his stuff in front of scouts and general managers at Texas’ Pro Day on March 9. 

Some franchises might be double-dipping in terms of interviews with the Longhorn sensation. Others could bring him in for a top-30 visit prior to being on the clock come April 27. 

At this point, however, where Robinson lands is out of his hands, so he might as well just enjoy the process. 

 “God has a plan for wherever I’m going to be at,” Robinson said. 

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