Brian Robinson’s patience at Alabama was worth it.
He waited five years to be the starting running back for the Crimson Tide, and he became a favorite for fans in his final season.
RELATED: Brian Robinson is impressing NFL teams in Senior Bowl practices
Robinson totaled 1,343 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last year. He recorded 204 yards rushing in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl versus Cincinnati, propelling the Tide to a 27-6 victory at AT&T Stadium. Robinson’s performance put him at the most rushing yards by an Alabama back in a bowl game. He brought the same mentality to Mobile (Ala.) for the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The rep we’ll remember from day 3 at the #SeniorBowl. #CrimsonTide RB Brian Robinson Jr. in pass pro against Channing Tindall.
Duce Staley LOVED it. pic.twitter.com/sBcOjOPWvT
— Jake Schyvinck (@JakeNFLDraft) February 3, 2022
Robinson excelled this week at practice, but his pass protection skills on Thursday caught everyone’s attention. He dominated linebacker Channing Tindall, former Georgia player, on every rep. His performance had Deuce Staley, Detroit Lions’ running backs coach, excited. According to Jim Nagy, Robinson earned the top running back of the week for the American team.
The linebackers and defensive secondary players for the American team voted for Robinson.
Alabama’s Brian Robinson (@BrianR_4) was named top RB on the American team in a vote from LB and DS position groups at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony today at 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/jfFGmeTBan
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 4, 2022
His outing impressed several NFL scouts, evaluators, and coaches for the upcoming draft.
A native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Robinson displays the focus, toughness, power, shiftiness, cutback abilities, pass-blocking skills, and receiving skills needed at the position. Someone in the second or third round of the draft will get a player of value. Robinson won two national championships (2017, 2020) and three Southeastern Conference titles (2018, 2020, 2021) with the Tide.
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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.
