Longhorns legend Bijan Robinson to skip Alamo Bowl to go pro

Austin, Texas - Taking the NFL Draft route was always expected from this record-breaking Texas Longhorn. Now, it's official!

Texas Longhorn running back Bijan Robinson has declared he will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Texas Longhorn running back Bijan Robinson has declared he will enter the 2023 NFL Draft.  © Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Texas' Bijan Robinson officially declared for the NFL Draft on Monday during a media press conference.

"I've done everything that I tried to do in God's plan for me while I've been here," Robinson said. "It's time to start the new journey. I'm just excited to figure out another part of my life, just like I tried to figure it out here."

The reigning Doak Walker Award winner followed up the press conference by posting a video to his social media accounts. In the clip, Robinson personally thanking his family, coaches, teammates, and fans before revealing his next steps on the football field.

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"Even though this chapter is coming to an end, I am always going to be a Longhorn. I bleed Burnt Orange," Robinson said.

The true junior will opt out of the No. 20 Longhorns' Alamo Bowl showdown against No. 12 Washington in San Antonio on December 29.

Robinson is projected to be a first-round draft pick and is considered the "safest" running back prospect since Saquon Barkley of Penn State in 2018.

How will the NFL benefit from Bijan Robinson's talent?

After three seasons, Bijan Robinson is the fourth all-time rusher in Longhorn history with 3,410 rushing yards.
After three seasons, Bijan Robinson is the fourth all-time rusher in Longhorn history with 3,410 rushing yards.  © Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Bijan Robinson isn't your average running back. The Longhorn legend is the fourth all-time rusher in Longhorn history with 3,410 rushing yards, 539 carries, and 33 rushing touchdowns.

Robinson also posted a career of 805 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

The first Texas player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Vince Young in 2004-2005, Robinson is just the fourth Longhorn running back to earn unanimous All-American honors.

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In other words, Robinson is that guy!

While running backs aren't typically selected in the first round of the draft, Robinson may be the rare exception.

The Longhorn product's speed, power, and creativity on the field are unparalleled, which easily makes him a top 10 prospect.

This year, on top of being one of the nation's leaders in a number of categories including total touchdowns, and yards after contact, Robinson beat out Heisman candidate Blake Corum (Michigan) and Chase Brown (Illinois) to be named the nation's best running back as the 2022 Doak Walker Award recipient.

Robinson joins Ricky Williams (1997, 1998), Cedric Benson (2004), and D'Onta Foreman (2016) as only Longhorns who have won the honor.

The NFL Draft is set to take place from April 27-29 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cover photo: Collage: TIM WARNER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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