Brian Robinson Jr.'s Impressive Journey From Alabama To The NFL

Over the weekend, former Alabama running back and third-year NFL player Brian Robinson Jr. was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers, with the deal confirmed on Aug. 24.

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Prior to the NFL, Robinson spent five seasons with the Crimson Tide (2017-2021). Notably, he entered his collegiate career in a crowded running back room that included Najee and Damien Harris, but Robinson stayed loyal to the Crimson Tide and earned himself the starting spot in the 2021 season.

In Robinson's final collegiate year, he tied for 10th in Alabama history for career rushing touchdowns with 29. He recorded 2,704 rushing yards for his career and finished 11th all-time in program history. Additionally, he earned All-South Eastern Conference Team honors from the conference coaches, received second team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press, was selected as one of the Reese's Senior Bowl All-Americans, and recorded 14 rushing touchdowns to lead the SEC and tie for 19th in the country. He also ranked third in the SEC and 20th nationally in total touchdowns with 16, third in the conferences and 15th in Division I with 1,343 rushing yards, and led the Crimson Tide in attempts (27), yards, and rushing touchdowns despite missing one game that season.

Among his accolades are being named to the watch lists for the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards, selected as a preseason second team All-American by Pro Football Focus, named the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week and Maxwell Award Player of the Week following his performance against the Ole Miss Rebels, earning Reese's Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week honors for his play in the Crimson Tide's win over the Rebels, and being selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week by the Alabama coaches for his performances against Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Tennessee, New Mexico State, Arkansas and Cincinnati.

After an impressive collegiate career, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and was selected 98th overall by the Commanders. Robinson spent three seasons with the Commanders, appearing in 41 games with 37 starts. During his tenure with the Commanders, he rushed for 2,329 yards on 570 career attempts for 15 touchdowns, leading the Commanders in rushing each of his three seasons. He also recorded 587 receiving yards on 65 catches with five touchdowns.

Despite leading the Commanders in rushing for three seasons, Robinson was traded to the 49ers on Aug. 22 for a sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the trade to the 49ers, Robinson's role will look different, given that he joins a running back room that includes Christian McCaffrey, who led the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage in 2023.

“We brought him here to be our two back,” said San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan during a press conference on Saturday. “I’ve always been a big fan of Brian. Loved him coming out of college. He’s done really well going against him, and we were pumped that he was available and we were pumped that we were able to get him.”

The Tuscaloosa native has high hopes for his future in San Francisco, knowing that he will enter a room that has McCaffrey at the forefront, Robinson is ready to compete.

“I see opportunities for myself regardless,” said Robinson during a presser on Monday. “I know C-Mac’s going to do his thing, and I’m going be ready to do my thing, for sure. Like I told Mr. (John) Lynch, (the 49ers general manager), before I got here. I’m like, ‘Look, I respect, everybody. I respect the room. I respect C-Mac, but I’m a competitor. I come here to compete.’