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Brian Robinson Jr. improves 2022 NFL Draft stock after big game

By Pablo Rosero

Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) stiff arms Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Arquon Bush (9) during the first half in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) stiff arms Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Arquon Bush (9) during the first half in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alabama has sent multiple running backs to the NFL and that should stay the same after Brian Robinson’s massive game against Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl, a game that improved his 2022 NFL Draft stock.

In a game where Bryce Young clearly was not at his best, Brian Robinson Jr. carried the load with 26 carries for 204 yards and an average of almost eight yards per carry. Robinson was the catalyst that led Alabama to their sixth CFP National Championship game, the most of any team in the country.

The fifth year senior is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and waited until this season to start his first game. He’s played behind the likes of Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris, and Damien Harris.

This season, Robinson started all but one game this season for Alabama. The game he missed was Bama’s 63-14 win over Southern Miss. In the 13 other games, Robinson put together 1064 rushing yards for 14 rushing touchdowns and an additional two receiving touchdowns.

Robinson’s big game, and the chance for another big game against either Georgia or Michigan, could help improve his draft stock. Currently there are three running backs that are likely to be taken ahead of Robinson. The three are Iowa State’s Breece Hall, Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, and Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller.

These three backs were not just among the nations leading runners, but were their teams entire offenses. For what Robinson did against Cincinnati, these three backs did all season for their teams.

Rather, Robinson falls in the same tier of backs as UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet and Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams. These three backs will likely fall somewhere between rounds three and four once the league’s draft comes around. Although they are in a tier that could see either of the three moving up with the tier one running backs.

Robinson’s next challenge will come against either one of Georgia or Michigan’s elite run defenses. Having already played Georgia, fans have an idea of what could be expected. Against the Bulldogs, Robinson ran the ball 16 times for 55 yards and a 3.4 yard per carry average. That was Robinson’s second lowest total of the season.

Robinson was Alabama’s MVP against Cincinnati and not only did he help his team punch their ticket to the National Championship, but he also improved the outlook of his draft stock for the 2022 NFL Draft as he heads towards the end of his collegiate career.

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