Alabama had two running backs enter the NCAA transfer portal before the season started.
Keilan Robinson, a native of Washington, D.C., was a player many Crimson Tide fans wanted to see take off at the program.
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He possessed the speed, quickness, and vision that Alabama needed at the position. Nick Saban would often refer to Robinson as the athlete with ‘juice’ at running back. He recorded two rushing touchdowns as a freshman in 2019 and then opted out of his sophomore year because of COVID-19 concerns. Despite returning to the Tide in the spring of this year, Robinson pursued the transfer portal for more playing time. The 5-foot-9, 183-pounder chose the University of Texas for his transfer home.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 18: Keilan Robinson #7 of the Texas Longhorns is congratulated by a member of the coaching staff after blocking a punt in the first half against the Rice Owls at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Regardless of having Steve Sarkisian as head coach, Robinson has not seen much playing time with the Longhorns.
Bijon Robinson, a sophomore, is the primary running back for Texas. He has 1,127 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on 195 carries.
Robinson is in the Heisman conversation, and he is averaging 112.7 yards per game. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama is thin on scholarship backs. After starting the season with five, the Tide is down to two. Injuries to Jase McClellan, Camar Wheaton, and Roydell Williams has forced Coach Saban to locate “emergency” players for the role – including a linebacker in Demouy Kennedy.
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On Thursday, Saban said Keilan Robinson ‘would be playing a lot if he had stayed at Alabama.’
“That’s where sometimes these guys are little short-sighted when they misread sort of what their opportunity really would be if they tried to stay and compete,” Saban said.
He would have loved for Robinson to remain, but the Tide have Brian Robinson Jr. and Trey Sanders prepared to carry the load. Robinson, a fifth-year senior, told reporters Tuesday that he is ready to do whatever is necessary to help Alabama be effective.
He said his body is good to take on more responsibilities in the run game. We will see how Saban and Bill O’Brien scheme the offense for Arkansas, but Keilan Robinson missed out on a chance this year.
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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.
