a longhorn takes flight
Former UT running back Bijan Robinson is the earliest NFL Draft pick for the position in years
The Atlanta Falcons took former University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the eighth-overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. The 21-year-old was the first running back taken in the 2023 draft, and his selection marks the first time a player at that position has been taken that early since Saquon Barkley went second overall in 2018.
Robinson earned the high pick after starring at Texas for three years, where he totaled 3,410 yards rushing, 805 yards receiving, and 41 touchdowns. In 2022, his final season in Austin, the Tucson native won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s most outstanding college running back, was a Consensus All-American, and finished ninth in Heisman Memorial Trophy voting. He is also involved in local initiatives outside of football.
Draftee salaries in the NFL are pre-determined by draft slot, so as the eighth pick, Robinson is set to make $23.7 million over his four-year rookie contract. He is likely to jump into a starting role as a rookie and will have his work cut out for him on a rebuilding Falcons squad that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017, nor ever won a Super Bowl.