Texas’ Bijan Robinson picked by Atlanta in Round 1 of 2023 NFL draft
For the first time in eight years, a Texas Longhorn didn't have to wait long to learn his fate in the NFL draft.
Bijan Robinson — the man, the myth, the mustard mogul — was selected by Atlanta in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. The award-winning running back was at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., to hear his name announced as the eighth overall selection.
Robinson is the 46th first-round pick in UT's history, but no Longhorns had been taken in the first round since defensive lineman Malcom Brown in 2015. Texas last produced a first-round player on offense in 2006.
Draft grades for Falcons: Bijan Robinson pick range from 'too good' to 'way too high'
Bijan Robinson rated top running back in 2023 NFL draft class
The Falcons' selection of the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Robinson was not a surprise. He was rated by most as the top running back in the draft. ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III, who was the second overall pick in 2012, tweeted this week, "Bijan Robinson is the best player in the Draft."
Behind the scenes: Watch Bijan Robinson's reaction after getting off phone with Atlanta Falcons at NFL Draft
A five-star recruit from Arizona and the top-rated running back prospect in the 2020 cycle, Robinson lived up to the hype during his three years at Texas. His 3,410 career rushing yards rank behind only program icons Ricky Williams (6,279), Cedric Benson (5,540) and Earl Campbell (4,443) in the UT record books. Robinson also scored 33 times over his three seasons.
Big numbers: From Bijan Robinson's 40 time to total yards, here are key stats on the Texas running back
Robinson's 1,580 rushing yards last fall were the sixth-most in the nation, and only four players topped his 18 rushing touchdowns. In addition to his 258 carries, Robinson turned 19 receptions into 314 yards and two scores. Those numbers helped him capture UT's fifth Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to college football's top running back.
This Bijan Robinson highlight is the running back's favorite
Key play: Between a 3-yard gain against UTEP in 2020 and a short loss against Baylor last November, Robinson recorded 539 carries in his collegiate career. He told reporters last season that his favorite carry was an 18-yard gain against West Virginia that featured a spin move, a stiff-arm and an out-of-bounds call that Robinson might still dispute.
Bijan Robinson’s favorite run among his 539 carries at UT? An 18-yard gain featuring a spin and stiff-arm against WVU in 2020.
“I don't think I was out of bounds. I think that was a pretty cool play to set the tone of the career I've been having here.”pic.twitter.com/pj5JWH49kQ— Danny Davis (@_dannydavis) December 7, 2022
What Texas teammate, head coach say about Bijan Robinson
"I can’t really describe Bijan Robinson. He’s just him. People reference, ‘Who’s him?’ He’s him. He’s one hell of a playmaker." — Texas center Jake Majors after Robinson rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns at Kansas on Nov. 19
"I think Bijan's a great football player, I think he's a better human being. Does that mean he's a generational talent? Time will tell. But I do know this: He's a phenomenal football player, He's an even better human being, and I was fortunate to coach him for a couple of years, and I think I will always be connected to Bijan Robinson for the person that he is as much as it was the player that he is." — UT coach Steve Sarkisian, on April 26, 2023, when asked if Robinson is a generational talent.
More: Texas' DeMarvion Overshown drafted by Dallas in Round 3 of 2023 NFL Draft
Jahmyr Gibbs was next running back selected in 2023 NFL draft
Notable number: 12. A few minutes after Robinson was drafted, Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs was taken by Detroit with the 12th pick. Over the past decade, just 12 running backs have been selected in the first round. How did those running backs fare in their rookie seasons?
Bijan Robinson is sixth Texas Longhorn drafted by Atlanta Falcons
Longhorns-turned-Falcons: Robinson is the sixth Texas player drafted by Atlanta. Legendary Longhorns linebacker Tommy Nobis was Atlanta's first draft pick ever in 1966. Tight end Deryl Comer (14th round, 1971), receiver Alfred Jackson (seventh round, 1978), offensive lineman Justin Blalock (second round, 2007) and defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham (fifth round, 2021) also were selected by the Falcons.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns star running back, drafted by Atlanta
