Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Kabir Robinson Jr., nicknamed "B Rob", is an American professional football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a two-time national champion. Robinson was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Prior to his rookie season, he was shot twice during an armed robbery and returned to the team two months later.
Early life
Robinson Jr. was born on March 22, 1999, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He attended Hillcrest High School, where he rushed for 990 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior and was named second team Class 6A All-State. Robinson was rated a four-star running back recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Alabama over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Ole Miss, and South Carolina, among others.College career
In his collegiate debut against 2017 [Vanderbilt Commodores football team|Vanderbilt], Robinson scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown in the 59–0 victory. As a freshman, Robinson rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns as a reserve player behind Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs as Alabama went on to win the 2018 [College Football Playoff National Championship|2018 CFP National Championship Game].In the 2018 season, Robinson carved out a role as Alabama's fourth running back. Robinson gained 272 yards and two touchdowns on 63 carries in his sophomore season. In the 2019 season, Robinson became Alabama's second running back, only behind Najee Harris. As a junior, Robinson rushed 96 times for 441 yards and five rushing touchdowns while catching 11 passes for 124 receiving yards. In the 2020 season, Robinson continued to be the second running back to Harris. Alabama won their second national title during his time there. He totaled 91 carries for 483 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Following Harris leaving for the NFL draft, Robinson finally became Alabama's featured back as a fifth-year senior in 2021. Though hampered by injuries, Robinson roughly equaled his output of the previous four years, leading the Southeastern Conference in carries and touchdowns. On October 2, against 2021 [Ole Miss Rebels football team|Ole Miss], he had 36 carries for 171 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in the 42–21 victory. He was named the most valuable player of the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic after rushing for 204 yards, a school record for a bowl game. He finished the 2021 season with 271 carries for 1,343 rushing yards, and 14 rushing touchdowns to go along with 35 receptions for 296 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Professional career
Washington Commanders (2022–2024)
Robinson was selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 18, 2022. On August 28, 2022, Robinson was shot in the knee and glute during an armed robbery involving two men after leaving a restaurant in the Near Northeast neighborhood of Washington, D.C. shortly before 6p.m. EDT. He suffered no life-threatening damage and was discharged from MedStar Washington Hospital Center the following day. Robinson missed the first four games of the season before making his NFL debut in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, where he rushed nine times for 22 yards.Robinson's first career touchdown came the following week against the Chicago Bears, a game-winner in the fourth quarter of a Commanders victory. He recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game in a Week 12 win over the Atlanta Falcons. As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games and started nine. He finished with 205 carries for 797 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 60 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He was named the 2022 Inspiration of the Year by Sports Illustrated and voted Washington's Ed Block Courage Award winner.
In Week 10 of the 2023 season, Robinson had six receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown in the 29–26 loss to the Seahawks. He started 15 games during the season, finishing with 178 carries for 733 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns with 36 receptions for 368 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
In Week 2 of the 2024 season, Robinson had 17 carries for a new game-high of 133 rushing yards. He would record 101 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals. In Week 13, he had his third 100+ yard performance with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 42-19 win against the Tennessee Titans. He finished the 2024 regular season with new career highs of 799 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns over 14 games. Robinson recorded 77 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 45-31 2024–25 NFL playoffs#NFC: Washington Commanders 45, [Detroit Lions 31|Divisional round win] over the Detroit Lions that advanced Washington to the NFC Championship Game. In the NFC Championship Game, Robinson had 11 carries for 36 yards in the 55–23 loss against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.