Brian Robinson Jr. is a redshirt senior that had seen limited action due to the stable of talented running backs Alabama has had such as Najee Harris, Damien Harris, and Josh Jacobs. The 2021 season was the first season that Robinson was penciled in as the starter and his production elevated.

Throughout the 2021 season, Robinson was able to rush for more than 1,000 yards with his best performance coming against Ole Miss, where rushed for 170 yards and four touchdowns. Robinson is a running back that requires a high volume of touches to really impact a football game. He is a one-cut back that can get vertical and use his power to run through arm tackles.

One of Robinson’s best traits is his pass protection. In pass pro, Robinson is able to quickly and effectively pick up blitzing defenders. Overall, Robinson is a short-yardage running back that can consistently gash the defense for short-yardage gains. In the NFL, should be used in this capacity.

Ideal Role: Mainly used in short-yardage situations.

Scheme Fit: A downhill running scheme where he can get north and south and use his strength to run through defenders.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Miami (2021), Ole Miss (2021), Texas A&M (2021), LSU (2021), Georgia (2021)

Best Game Studied: Ole Miss (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Miami (2021)

Vision: Robinson runs with sufficient vision in his ability to identify the hole that was created playside. If needed, he can press the hole and make an efficient jump-cut to find daylight. Robinson’s slasher running style allows him to press the hole and make one strong cut to get up the field. He is a force runner at times that rarely looks on the backside of plays for possible running opportunities.

Footwork: See Above.

Contact Balance: Robinson has a well-built-out frame, possessing a strong upper body and a thickly-built lower half—both help him break causal arm tackles by defenders. Upon contact, Robinson lowers his pad level to allow for him to generate power and run through arm tackles. Robinson needs improvement on this trait. Multiple times a game there was a defender that brought him down by simply swiping at his feet and tripping him. This issue results in a lot of lost yardage production for him.

Durability: See Above.

Explosive: Robinson is a strider that lacks true explosiveness. Robinson is a same-speed player. He runs with a consistent tempo through the first and second levels. He displays a slight burst once through the second level but lacks the explosiveness to run away from defenders.

Versatility: Robinson’s athletic traits limit his overall versatility. He lines up only in a true running back alignment. On the next level, he should primarily be utilized as a downhill back used to pick up yards in short-yardage situations.

Elusiveness: Robinson’s go-to move in space is an efficient jump-cut. He possesses the ability to make defenders miss but lacks the overall elusiveness to quickly get back vertical. When he has the time to prepare for a move he is effective but lacks the true rudeness in the open field to consistently win one-on-one matchups.

Ball Security: See Above.

Passing Down Skills: Robinson is excellent in pass protection. He always understands his responsibility and picks up the correct blitzer. Is a more willing blocker that looks to help out his offensive linemen. As a pass-catcher, Robinson offers value as a back that can catch swing passes or option routes. At times he would have to double-catch a pass, but he has sufficient hands to be an underneath outlet option for quarterbacks to utilize.

Discipline: Robinson is very disciplined in both the run game and passing game. In the passing game, he is very knowledgeable of his assignments and executes consistently. In the run game, Robinson can be too disciplined in trying to fit a run where there are no holes, instead of trying to look backside.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 77.33/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 82.00/100

Marino Grade: 77.50/100

Harris Grade: 75.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 74.00/100

Weissman Grade: 78.50/100

Parson Grade: 77.00/100