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. Listed at 5 ft 11 in and 215 lb, Robinson has quickly developed into one of the premier dual-threat backs in the league.
Born on January 30, 2002, in Tucson, Arizona, Robinson carries the full name Bijan Robinson and wears jersey number 7 for Atlanta. Through his first three NFL seasons, he has produced three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and earned multiple Pro Bowl honors.
Early Life and Background
Bijan Robinson was born on January 30, 2002, in Tucson, Arizona. He was named after the Iranian fashion designer Bijan, a Persian word meaning “hero,” a tribute chosen by his mother. His great uncle is Paul Robinson, a former running back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Oilers, and Birmingham Americans, giving the family a clear football lineage.
Robinson attended Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, where he set an Arizona state record by rushing for 7,036 yards and 114 touchdowns in his career. As a senior, he earned Arizona Gatorade Football Player of the Year honors after rushing for 2,235 yards and 38 touchdowns on just 126 carries. A five-star recruit, he was selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl before committing to the University of Texas at Austin.
Path to American Football
Robinson earned immediate playing time as a true freshman at Texas in 2020, finishing the year with 86 carries for 703 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go with two receiving scores. He earned 2020 Alamo Bowl MVP honors after rushing for 183 yards and a touchdown against Colorado. That freshman production also brought him Freshman All-American recognition.
In 2021, Robinson rushed for 1,127 yards and was named First-team All-Big 12. His defining 2022 season came next, when he led the Big 12 in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, posted 1,580 rushing yards and 18 scores, and was named a unanimous All-American while winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back. He finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting before declaring for the NFL draft.
Bijan Robinson Career
Early Career (2020–2022, Texas Longhorns)
Robinson’s college resume grew steadily at Texas. His sophomore campaign was headlined by a 216-yard, two-touchdown performance against TCU on October 2, 2021. He capped his career with a 243-yard, four-touchday game against Kansas in 2022, a performance that sealed his unanimous All-American status.
Over three seasons with the Longhorns, Robinson established himself as one of the most complete backs in college football, combining power, vision, and receiving ability. His combination of accolades and production made him a consensus top-ten prospect for the 2023 NFL draft.
NFL Breakthrough (2023 Rookie Season)
Robinson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and signed a four-year rookie contract worth $21.96 million fully guaranteed. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, recording his first career receiving touchdown in a 24–10 win. In Week 2, he erupted for 129 rushing yards against the Green Bay Packers in a 25–24 comeback victory.
Robinson started 16 games as a rookie, finishing with 214 carries for 976 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go with 58 receptions for 487 receiving yards and four receiving scores. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, signaling his immediate transition to the professional level.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Robinson posted his first 1,000-yard NFL season, totaling 304 carries for 1,456 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. He added 61 receptions for 431 receiving yards and one receiving score, ranking third in the NFL in rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
The 2025 season represented Robinson’s clearest arrival as an elite back. He opened with 124 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown against Tampa Bay, then delivered 143 rushing yards against Minnesota. Through the first five weeks, his 822 scrimmage yards ranked fourth-most in the Super Bowl era for any player in the opening five games. He added 170 rushing yards and an 81-yard touchdown against Buffalo in Week 6, was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September, and earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week twice during the year. He closed with 1,487 rushing yards and 2,298 scrimmage yards, the latter a franchise record and the 12th most in a single NFL season. He earned First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the second straight year. On April 10, 2026, Atlanta exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Robinson blends patience, balance, and tackle-breaking power with elite receiving skills out of the backfield. His vision and lateral agility thrive on outside-zone and counters, while his 4.9 career rushing average reflects consistent efficiency. Atlanta increasingly featured him as a check-down weapon, using his route-running to generate yards after the catch.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature performances are his 243-yard, four-touchdown game against Kansas in 2022 and his 170-yard, 81-yard-touchdown effort against Buffalo in 2025. In 2025, he set the Atlanta Falcons single-season scrimmage-yard record and produced the team’s first 1,400-yard rushing season since Michael Turner in 2008.
Bijan Robinson Career Wins
Robinson has racked up major individual awards at every level. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (2024, 2025), a First-team All-Pro (2025), a unanimous All-American (2022), a two-time First-team All-Big 12 selection (2021, 2022), and a Freshman All-American (2020). He also earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2023.
NFL Highlights
Robinson has crossed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his three NFL seasons, totaling 3,910 rushing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, 198 receptions, 1,738 receiving yards, and 9 receiving touchdowns through 2025. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls and named First-team All-Pro once, and he has earned multiple NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NFL accolades, Robinson was named Arizona Gatorade Football Player of the Year in high school and earned MVP of the 2020 Alamo Bowl as a freshman. He was also ranked 62nd by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025, reflecting his standing among active players.
Bijan Robinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Robinson was raised in Tucson, Arizona, by a family with deep football roots. His great uncle, Paul Robinson, was a former NFL and WFL running back, establishing a multi-generational connection to the sport.
Personal Life
Robinson is a Christian. In 2022, he began promoting Bijan Mustardson, a gourmet Texas-based dijon mustard brand, alongside a comedically themed line of merchandise. His Instagram presence has helped grow the brand’s audience.
2025 Season Performance
Bijan Robinson’s 2025 campaign was the most productive of his career. He set the Atlanta Falcons single-season scrimmage-yardage record with 2,298 yards, added 1,487 rushing yards, and scored 11 total touchdowns. He was recognized twice as NFC Offensive Player of the Week and once as NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.
Atlanta leaned on Robinson as its offensive centerpiece, leaning on his receiving production as much as his rushing volume. His late-season surge, including 229 scrimmage yards against the Rams in Week 17, cemented his status as a top-five NFL back.
With the Falcons exercising his fifth-year option in April 2026, Robinson enters 2026 as a foundational player for Atlanta’s offense. His continued growth in pass-catching and pass protection suggests his statistical ceiling has yet to be reached.
