Will Anderson: Bijan Robinson 'toughest opponent I faced in college'

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Asking players to name the toughest opponent they’ve ever faced is common practice, especially for those with illustrious careers at college football’s highest level, like Alabama running back Will Anderson . But when Anderson, a top prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft, was asked that question at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, he gave an unusual answer.

“Bijan Robinson, the Texas running back,” Anderson said quickly. “He was a big back. … He was going to break a few tackles, we had to tackle him the right way. He was probably the toughest opponent I faced in college.”

Anderson and Robinson have met just once, in a nonconference matchup between Alabama and future SEC rival Texas in Week 2 of the 2022 college football season. The Crimson Tide beat the Longhorns at home in a 20-19 thriller, with Texas keeping the game close thanks to a pass rush that routinely pressured Alabama star quarterback Bryce Young.

Robinson received a whopping 21 carries in the game, but mustered just 57 yards. That was largely because Alabama was able to bring in the star running back after Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game early with an injury.

He and the Longhorns still gave Anderson a handful, though. While Anderson finished with five total tackles and two tackles for a loss in the game, he also had four fumbles and was picked off four times in what was his season-low performance according to the metrics from Pro Football Focus.

Anderson and Young are considered the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.