RB Rivals: Texas' Robinson vs. TCU's Evans Make Their Teams Go
Football is often defined by numbers. In many aspects of the sport, numbers equate to status.
That also works in recruiting. Why settle for the No. 2 prospect at the position when you can go big and grab No. 1? Only time will tell which pans out to be the better player.
Saturday's Texas-TCU showcase at Amon G. Carter Stadium is the next chapter in the battle of the top two running backs from the 2020 recruiting cycle.
Texas' Bijan Robinson graded out in the top spot. TCU's Zach Evans finished second.
"He's a dynamic player for sure," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday of Evans. "I actually recruited him pretty hard coming out of high school."
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The battle between Evans and Robinson goes well before both were calling schools in the Lone Star State home. Evans, a five-star player from North Shore High School in Houston, had offers to play at nearly every school in the country after his breakout junior campaign.
Robinson, a native of Tucson, Ariz., was set to go to Texas well before his senior season was over.
Both players are currently living up to their status as top-tier players at the position. Each also has been the driving force to their respective team's success offensively.
Robinson currently leads the Big 12 with 446 rushing yards. Evans leads the conference in average yards per game at 110. Robinson is averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Right behind is Evans' 7.9.
"He's a great running back," Robinson said Monday of his TCU counterpart. "It was more like my situation. He needed to get used to the game, used to the speed of the game. When everything got comfortable for him, that's when everything started to really show and explode for him."
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Evans exploded onto the scene in the past two games against Cal and SMU. In both outings, he's recorded more than 100 yards rushing and averaged more than 7.5 yards a carry. He also scored in both games, including 46-yard touchdown reception against the Mustangs.
Gary Patterson made a splash signing Evans, the first five-star recruit to ever commit to TCU and the biggest name in its backfield since LaDainian Tomlinson.
Last season, Evans only recorded one carry in TCU's 33-31 victory over the Horns. Robinson did not play due to a back injury.
That's 1-0 (barely) in the running back rivalry for Evans.
The transition from high school to the college ranks took time for Evans, who recorded 415 yards and four touchdowns last season.
He's bloomed in Fort Worth through three games.
"He really looks like he's playing like the player we saw in high school," Sarkisian said. "He's a dynamic runner. He's got the breakaway speed and the elusiveness, but he's definitely in the passing game."
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Evans and Robinson became friends on the recruiting trail, talking about the sport they both love. The never became teammates. Instead, friendly rivals.
"I'm glad he chose a school that he's comfortable with and the same for me," Robinson said. "We're both in Texas now. I enjoy the fact that there's another good back over there at TCU. It's fun to watch that we're in the same grade doing what we're doing."
Saturday's game might be won in the trenches. Both the Horned Frogs and Longhorns have struggled to defend the run at times this season. Texas ranks eighth in Big 12 run defense, while TCU is ninth.
Both teams need a win to keep pace in the Big 12. Maybe it comes down to the two best running backs of 2020.
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