Football

With hype building, Texas star RB Bijan Robinson playing for God's glory

By Joshua Doering Jul 15, 2022
Bijan Robinson speaks at Big 12 media days on July 14, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Bijan Robinson has nothing left to prove individually at the college level. He could sit out the upcoming season and likely be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some people advised him to do just that.

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But the star running back at the University of Texas is more concerned about the commitment he made to his teammates, coaches and program. His faith brought him to Austin in the first place, and it was the driving force behind his decision to play a third season for the school.

“I’m a really loyal guy,” Robinson told 247 Sports while recovering from an elbow injury at the end of last season. “When I say I’m gonna do something, you know I’m gonna stick to it. I know people might see it differently or people might disagree. But if I’m part of a team or sticking to something I believe that God put me in, I’m not gonna change it. That’s just who I am, and that’s what I believe is the right thing to do.”

On July 6, Robinson was named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and was one of two unanimous selections to the conference’s preseason team. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and compiled 1,422 yards from scrimmage in 10 games in 2021. In a five-game stretch from Sept. 18 to Oct. 16, Robinson ran for 752 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.

Amid his growing fame, Robinson features his faith prominently on social media. His Twitter bio says, “God is the way,” and his banner image features six words: “Faith. Believe. Trust. Let God Work!” “Trust in the Lord” and “Let’s make God famous” are the first things in Robinson’s Instagram bio.

Before Robinson was ranked as a five-star recruit by Rivals and 247 with offers from the top programs in the country, he was leading pregame prayers at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tuscon, Arizona. Salpointe head coach Eric Rogers told BVM Sports he’d never seen a player stronger in their faith than Robinson.

“He (Robinson) has a tremendous faith and it’s contagious,” Rogers said. “People gravitate to him and it was crazy to see the progression from five, then it was 10 and 15. Next thing you know by the end of the year, there were 25 guys huddling up with him to pray right before our games. For me, it was unique and special.”

During his appearance at Big 12 media days Thursday, Robinson talked about the impact faith is having within the Texas program and his relationship with new running backs coach Tashard Choice. Choice, who is also outspoken about his faith on social media, was a standout running back at Georgia Tech and spent six seasons in the NFL.

Robinson said during his media availability that a shared faith by players and coaches is helping set the Longhorns up for success following a 5-7 campaign.

“None of us would be here if God wasn’t a part of our life,” Robinson said. “He blessed us to do something. He blessed you to do what you’re doing, blessed me to do what I’m doing. So, when He’s the center and the focal piece of a team, then that’s when you start to see where you want to go and how you want to do it.”

Texas hosts Louisiana-Monroe in its season opener on Sept. 3 and welcomes Alabama to town on Sept. 10. That game will feature two of the Heisman Trophy frontrunners in Robinson and Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young, who claimed the award last season.

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