The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.22.2022 | Football
Junior RB Bijan Robinson has been named a semifinalist as the nation’s top running back for the second consecutive year.
DALLAS – Texas junior running back Bijan Robinson has been named a semifinalist for the 2022 Doak Walker Award, the PxC SMU Athletic Forum announced on Tuesday. Robinson, who is sixth in the nation in rushing with 1,401 yards and fifth in all-purpose yards averaging 155.91 yards per game, is one of 10 semifinalists for the award presented annually to the nation's top college running back.
Robinson, who is also a Walter Camp Award semifinalist, was previously a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award in 2021. He looks to join a prestigious trio of Longhorns who have won the Doak Walker Award, which began in 1990. Ricky Williams was a two-time winner, bringing home the trophy in 1997 and 1998, while Cedric Benson collected it in 2004, and D'Onta Foreman won the honor in 2016. Texas' four Doak Walker Award trophies are the second-most by an FBS school all time. (Wisconsin, 5).
The Tucson, Ariz. native currently ranks fourth nationally in total touchdowns (18), fifth in rushing touchdowns (16), seventh in total points scored (108), and eighth in rushing yards per game (127.4) and scoring (9.8 ppg). He has eight 100-yard rushing games in the last nine outings, including two of 200 yards in the last three. He has also rushed for a touchdown in nine of 11 games this year, highlighted by a four-touchdown effort last Saturday at Kansas. He has a Power 5-leading six rushing scores of at least 30 yards. This season, Robinson is the only player in the nation with more than 1,400 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards, and one of just two running backs nationally with double-digit rushing touchdowns and at least two receiving scores.
Robinson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, the first Texas running back to accomplish the feat since Cedric Benson in 2003-04 — Vince Young did it in 2004-05 at quarterback. He is the seventh Longhorn with consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns, joining Chris Gilbert, Roosevelt Leaks, Ricky Williams, Hodges Mitchell, Cedric Benson and Vince Young.
His 1,401 rushing yards are the eighth-most in a season in Texas history and his 16 rushing touchdowns on the year are tied for seventh in Texas' all-time rankings. The eight 100-yard games this season are the fifth-most by a Longhorn, which included a streak of seven-straight games with at least 100 rushing yards that was the third-longest in program history. His 108 points scored this year are tied for 10th-most by a Longhorn.
For his career, Robinson is now tied for fifth on Texas' all-time rushing list with 3,231 yards. The junior is sixth in UT history in career tandem yards (4,036) and 10th in all-purpose yards (4,052). He has rushed for 31 touchdowns, 10th all-time in UT history, and scored a combing 39 touchdowns, tied for fifth in program history. Additionally, he has scored 234 points, tied for 11th all-time by a Longhorn and fifth among non-kickers.
The 2022 Doak Walker Award winner will be unveiled live on The Home Depot College Football Awards, televised by ESPN on Dec. 8. The annual banquet, where the winner and the recipient of the 2022 PwC Doak Walker Legends Award will be honored, will take place in February on the SMU campus.
The Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
2022 Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
Israel Abanikanda, Pitt
Chase Brown, Illinois
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Blake Corum, Michigan
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
DeWayne McBride, UAB
Kendre Miller, TCU
Bijan Robinson, Texas
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
