The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Robinson named finalist for Doak Walker Award
11.29.2022 | Football
Texas RB Bijan Robinson, the Big 12 rushing, scoring and all-purpose yardage leader, is the only player in the nation with more than 1,500 rushing yards and 300 receiving.
DALLAS – Texas running back Bijan Robinson has been named a finalist for the 2022 Doak Walker Award, the PxC SMU Athletic Forum announced on Tuesday. Robinson, who leads the nation in tandem yards with 1,894 (1,580 rushing, 314 receiving) and is second in total touchdowns (20), is averaging a Big 12-best 131.7 rushing yards and 157.83 all-purpose yards per game. He joins Illinois' Chase Brown and Michigan's Blake Corum as the three finalists.
"First, I want to give glory to God for being recognized for this award. I couldn't do it without Him," Robinson said. "I'm truly honored to be among this great group of finalists. It's definitely a blessing, and I'm very thankful for that. When I think about it, words really can't describe what it means, but being considered for the Doak Walker Award is something every running back dreams of. I'm so fortunate that every time I walk into our football building, I get to see the trophy that Ricky, Cedric and D'Onta earned during their time here. It's something that motivates you and inspires you to be great. I do need to say I wouldn't be in this position to even be considered for such a special award without my coaches and teammates. I'm up for this because of what we've accomplished, and if I'm blessed to win it, it will be because of we, not me.
"I've been fortunate to have great mentors here, too, and Ricky's told me about Doak Walker, the relationship they had and what a great person he was. It's extra special that this award honors a man who stood for so much and was such an amazing person on and off the field. He's the type of person I aspire to be, and another reason why being recognized as a finalist means so much."
Robinson looks to join a prestigious trio of Longhorns who have won the Doak Walker Award, which has gone annually to the nation's premier running back dating back to 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).
"When you think about what Bijan has accomplished this year, it's wonderful to see him collect this well-deserved recognition," said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. "He's exactly the type of player the Doak Walker Award represents and then some. He's unique in that he's a tremendous player – with the ability to run the ball, catch the ball and block – but is also one of the better human beings you will ever meet. Bijan typifies what the Doak Walker Award winner represents in that he is an outstanding performer on the field and a leader and high-character individual off of it. I say it all the time, Bijan is a great football player and an even better person. We're thrilled to see his name listed as a finalist and hope he can join the rich and proud tradition of Longhorns that have earned this prestigious award."
Robinson's 1,894 tandem yards, 20 total touchdowns, and 6.2 yards per carry are tops among the three finalists. He also has the most multi-touchdown games (5), is the only one of the three with multiple 200-yard rushing games and has the two longest runs among the trio with a 68 and 78-yarder to his credit this season.
The Tucson, Ariz. native has nine 100-yard rushing games in the last 10 outings, including a pair of 200-yard efforts, and has rushed for a touchdown in 10 of 12 games this year with multiple rushing touchdowns on five occasions. Robinson has tallied 100 yards from scrimmage 11 times and notched 200-plus yards on three occasions. He has 18 plays (11 rushes, 7 receptions) of 20-plus yards this season, including touchdown runs of 78, 42, 41, 40, 36 and 31 yards.
He ranks fourth nationally in rushing touchdowns (18), fifth in rushing yards (1,580), all-purpose yards (157.83 ypg) and points scored (120), and sixth in rushing yards per game (131.7), while leading the Big 12 in each category. His 1,580 rushing yards on the year are the seventh-most in a season in program history, while his 18 rushing touchdowns and nine 100-yard rushing games are the fifth-most.
For his career, Robinson is among an elite group of Longhorn rushers, ranking fourth on Texas' all-time rushing list with 3,410 yards. He trails only Williams (6,279), Benson (5,540) and Longhorn Legend Earl Campbell (4,443). Robinson is also fourth in UT history in total touchdowns with 41 (33 rushing, 8 receiving) and tandem yards (4,215), eighth in rushing touchdowns (33) and all-purpose yards (4,231), and ninth in points scored (246).
Robinson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, the first Texas running back to accomplish the feat since 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 Benson, Williams, Young, Chris Gilbert, Roosevelt Leaks and Hodges Mitchell, and the first to rush for 1,500 yards and record 300 receiving yards in the same season.
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.
