NFL Legend Barry Sanders 'Honored' By Bijan Robinson Inspiration
Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson is arguably one of the top five prospects in the entire NFL Draft, regardless of position. And it is easy to see why, with Robinson drawing favorable comparisons to current and former NFL stars such as Saquon Barkley and - maybe the greatest running back of all time - Barry Sanders.
In fact, Robinson has even revealed that he studied Sanders a great deal in the past, and has tried to emulate certain aspects of the former Detroit Lion in his own game.
Now, Sanders has taken notice and is seemingly, albeit nonchalantly, hoping that Robinson follows in his footsteps with the Lions.
“I shouldn’t say where I would love to see him go,” Sanders tweeted. “He is a very talented prospect, and I am always honored when someone has found inspiration in what I did. Good luck @Bijan5Robinson, and maybe we will see you in #Detroit.”
Last season alone, Robinson rushed 258 times for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns, while catching 19 passes for 314 yards and two more scores in 12 games.
In 2021, despite missing the final two games of the season with a dislocated elbow, Robinson was almost as good, carrying the ball 195 times for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 26 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
In his career, Robinson averaged 6.3 yards per rush, finishing fourth on the Longhorns' all-time rushing list with 3,410 yards, despite playing in nine fewer games than Earl Campbell (4,443 yards) and 18 fewer games than Cedric Benson (5,540 yards) and Ricky Williams (6,279 Yards).
In other words, he has already cemented himself as a Longhorns' all-time great.
And once he gets to the NFL, he will try to do the same and reach the heights of guys like Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmit Smith, and others.
You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan
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