He ran angry in high school and spent his first three seasons at the University of Alabama with the same mentality, but now Brian Robinson is ready to kick the door in.
Once a four-star from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Robinson arrived on campus with Najee Harris in the 2017 recruiting class.
While people are mesmerized by the moves and hands of Harris, Robinson has quietly improved his numbers in each of the last three years.
As a junior, he had his best performance.
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Robinson totaled 441 yards rushing with five touchdowns on 96 carries. He averaged five yards per rush and caught 11 passes for 124 receiving yards. Although there is not one specific part of his game that makes him elite, Robinson does a lot of things well.
The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder is a strong runner, pass blocker, run blocker and displays the ability to catch passes too.
With the Crimson Tide returning Harris and having the tandem of Trey Sanders and Keilan Robinson, some do not give the Tuscaloosa native the respect he deserves. Seeing how Alabama has also signed three more running backs in its 2020 class, Robinson knows how important this fall is.
According to a post he made on Twitter, he’s putting everything into this season.
This year personal, I owe it all to myself ?
— Brian K Robinson Jr. (@BrianR_4) February 21, 2020
Nick Saban expects to keep all seven backs on the roster. An opportunity is there for Robinson to serve in a fullback/H-back role, while he would still be able to run the ball and catch passes.
At the same time, he believes he is as good as Harris and everyone else in the rotation.
Robinson has 878 career rushing yards with nine scores. NFL scouts will be looking at him along with Harris. Much like Kenyan Drake separated himself from Derrick Henry, Robinson looks to create more of his own wave.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.