Patience is Paying Off for Brian Robinson Jr.

After four seasons of sitting behind a number of NFL running backs, Brian Robinson Jr. has exploded onto the scene the last month of the season. The Tuscaloosa native returned to Alabama for his fifth season and his decision is certainly paying off.

Robinson had his breakout performance in week four against Ole Miss, carrying the ball 36 times for 171 yards and scoring four touchdowns, all career-highs. He was recognized as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week, Reese’s Senior Bowl Offensive Player of the Week and Maxwell Award Player of the Week for his performance.

The following week against Texas A&M, Robinson had 147 yards on 24 carries and caught four passes for 60 yards. Last week, Robinson carried the ball 19 times for 73 yards, caught five passes for 68 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in Alabama’s 49-9 rout of Mississippi State.

On Saturday against Tennessee, Robinson reached the century mark for the third time in four games, rushing for 107 yards on 26 carries and scoring three touchdowns. He scored the first touchdown of the game with eight minutes left in the first quarter to give Alabama an early lead. Robinson used some nifty footwork for his second touchdown of the game to put the Crimson Tide up 38-24 early in the third quarter, and then he made it a three score game with a one-yard rushing touchdown with less than nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.

"I think the more he plays, the better he gets,” said coach Saban.

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Robinson has carried a majority of the workload for Alabama, his 11 rushing touchdowns this season leads the SEC. “He's a tough back,” said Jalyn Armour-Davis. “I think he does everything a back should do at a high level."

Robinson is quickly climbing up the draft boards with his play through the first two months of the season.