Bijan Robinson Bio
Bijan Robinson is an American professional football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he won the Doak Walker Award and was a unanimous All-American in 2022 before being selected by the Falcons eighth overall in the 2023 NFL draft. Robinson has established himself as one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl selections in 2024 and 2025 and becoming the Atlanta Falcons franchise leader for single-season scrimmage yards.
Early Life and Background
Bijan Robinson was born on January 30, 2002, in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Salpointe Catholic High School in his hometown, where he quickly became one of the most prolific running backs in Arizona high school history. Robinson set a state record by rushing for 7,036 yards and 114 touchdowns during his high school career, demonstrating the exceptional talent that would define his professional career.
As a senior at Salpointe Catholic, Robinson was named the Arizona Gatorade Football Player of the Year after accumulating 2,235 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns on just 126 carries. His exceptional performance earned him an invitation to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl, a prestigious national high school all-star game featuring the top college prospects in the country. As a five-star recruit, Robinson received scholarship offers from numerous major college programs and ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Texas at Austin.
Path to American Football
Robinson arrived at the University of Texas in 2020 as a highly decorated five-star recruit and immediately earned significant playing time as a true freshman. His first collegiate game against Colorado showcased his explosive abilities when he rushed for 183 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries in the Alamo Bowl, earning MVP honors of that bowl game. He finished his freshman season with 703 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, plus two receiving touchdowns, while demonstrating the versatility that would become a hallmark of his playing style.
During his sophomore season in 2021, Robinson emerged as one of the top running backs in the Big 12 Conference. A standout performance against TCU, where he carried the ball 35 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted his ability to shoulder a heavy workload while maintaining production. Robinson rushed for 1,127 yards in the 2021 season and earned First-team All-Big 12 honors, establishing himself as the centerpiece of the Texas offense.
His junior season in 2022 represented his breakthrough campaign at the collegiate level. Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading the Big 12 in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. His signature performance came against Kansas, where he accumulated 243 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 25 carries. The exceptional season earned him the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, unanimous All-American honors, and a ninth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting. Following the 2022 season, Robinson declared for the 2023 NFL draft.
Bijan Robinson Career
Atlanta Falcons Rookie Season (2023)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, making him the highest-drafted running back in that year’s class. On May 12, 2023, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $21.96 million fully guaranteed. The selection represented a significant investment by the Falcons in rebuilding their offense around a dynamic dual-threat running back.
Robinson made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, immediately demonstrating his abilities by rushing for 56 yards and catching six passes for 27 yards and his first professional touchdown. He continued to showcase his versatility throughout his rookie season, which included a 129-yard rushing performance against the Green Bay Packers and a 103-yard receiving game against the New Orleans Saints. Robinson started 16 games as a rookie, finishing with 976 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to complement 487 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. His performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
2024 Season Breakthrough
The 2024 season marked Robinson’s emergence as one of the NFL’s premier running backs. He posted four games with at least 100 rushing yards during the season, including a 170-yard performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 that featured two touchdowns. His 1,456 rushing yards ranked third in the NFL for the season, while his 14 rushing touchdowns placed him fifth in the league. Robinson also contributed 61 receptions for 431 yards and another touchdown through the air.
Consistency defined Robinson’s second professional season, as he recorded 12 games with at least 100 scrimmage yards and five games with multiple rushing touchdowns. His 2,000-yard scrimmage season established him among the league’s elite backs. Following the season, Robinson was ranked 62nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, reflecting the respect he had earned across the league. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection following the 2024 season.
2025 Season Elite Performance
The 2025 season represented Robinson’s most productive campaign as a professional. He opened the season with 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and followed with a 143-yard rushing performance against the Minnesota Vikings. Through the first five weeks of the season, Robinson accumulated 822 scrimmage yards, ranking fourth in NFL history for the most scrimmage yards through five games during the Super Bowl era.
Robinson’s standout performance came in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, where he rushed for 170 yards including an 81-yard touchdown run while adding 68 receiving yards in a victory that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He continued his elite production throughout the season with notable performances including 193 scrimmage yards against the New York Jets and a 229-yard performance against the Los Angeles Rams featuring a 93-yard touchdown reception. He earned his second NFC Offensive Player of the Week selection and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.
Robinson finished the 2025 season with 1,487 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to complement 820 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the air, giving him 2,298 total scrimmage yards. His rushing total marked the most by a Falcons player since Michael Turner in 2008, while his scrimmage yards set the single-season franchise record and ranked 12th all time in NFL history for a single season. His exceptional performance earned him his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and his first First-team All-Pro honors.
2026 Season and Contract Extension
On April 10, 2026, the Atlanta Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on Robinson’s rookie contract, ensuring he would remain with the team through the 2027 season. The decision reflected the organization’s commitment to building their offense around Robinson’s exceptional talents. His rapid development from a first-round draft pick to one of the NFL’s elite running backs had validated the Falcons’ investment in selecting him eighth overall in 2023.
Bijan Robinson Career Wins
Robinson has accumulated impressive statistics through his first three professional seasons, establishing himself among the NFL’s most productive dual-threat running backs. His career totals include 3,910 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry with 25 rushing touchdowns, plus 1,738 receiving yards on 198 catches with 9 receiving touchdowns. His combination of rushing and receiving production makes him one of the most complete backs in the league.
NFL Career Highlights
Robinson’s most notable career performance came during the 2025 season when he set the Atlanta Falcons single-season record with 2,298 scrimmage yards. His 1,487 rushing yards led the Falcons and ranked among the league leaders. His signature moment of the season was an 81-yard touchdown run against the Buffalo Bills that showcased his elite speed and breakaway ability. The 2025 season also featured a 93-yard receiving touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, demonstrating his big-play capability in the passing game.
College Career Highlights
Before his NFL success, Robinson achieved exceptional results at the University of Texas. His 2022 season stands out as he accumulated 1,580 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. His Alamo Bowl MVP performance as a freshman, where he rushed for 183 yards on just 10 attempts, provided an early glimpse of his elite talent. His 216-yard performance against TCU during his sophomore season further demonstrated his ability to dominate against quality competition.
| Competition Level | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2023-2025) | 3,910 | 25 | 1,738 | 9 |
| College Texas (2020-2022) | 3,410 | 33 | 365 | 4 |
Bijan Robinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Robinson comes from a football family with deep roots in the sport. His great uncle is Paul Robinson, who played professionally as a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Oilers, and Birmingham Americans. This family connection to the NFL provided Bijan with a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of professional football from an early age.
Personal Life
Robinson is a Christian and has spoken publicly about the role his faith plays in his life and career. His first name, Bijan, was chosen by his mother after the Iranian fashion designer Bijan, and the name translates to hero in Persian. Outside of football, Robinson has developed entrepreneurial ventures, launching a gourmet Texas-based dijon mustard brand called Bijan Mustardson in 2022, which includes a line of comedic-themed merchandise and advertisements. This venture demonstrates his business acumen and brand-building ambitions beyond his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough campaign for Robinson as he established himself among the NFL’s elite running backs. The season began with consistent production as he posted over 100 scrimmage yards in each of his first five games, accumulating 822 total scrimmage yards during that span. His remarkable consistency earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, highlighting his fast start to the season.
Mid-season, Robinson delivered his signature performance of the year against the Buffalo Bills with a 170-yard rushing performance featuring an 81-yard touchdown run. The explosive playmaking ability he demonstrated in that game became a theme throughout the season, as he produced multiple runs and receptions of over 50 yards. His second NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor came following a 229-scramble-yard performance against the Los Angeles Rams that included a 93-yard touchdown reception.
Robinson finished the season with career-high totals across the board, including 1,487 rushing yards and 2,298 scrimmage yards. His scrimmage total broke the Atlanta Falcons single-season franchise record and ranked 12th all time in NFL history. The offensive weaponry Robinson provided helped the Falcons remain competitive in the NFC playoff picture throughout the season. His dual-threat production as both a runner and receiver made him one of the most valuable offensive players in the league, earning him recognition as a First-team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career alongside his second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation.