Random Question (& Bijan Appreciation Post)

[DBut82]

Bijan, is the best back nation and will be the 1st back taken in next year's draft. He's also the best back in Longhorn history since Cedric Benson. As much of a Jamal Charles fan I am, Bijan is better. While we pub him as a Heisman candidate, when I look nationally his name isn't mentioned. Now to my random question: do any of you see him returning for his senior season? I actually think there's a chance; for several reasons actually (in no particular order):

1) Money isn't an issue. With NIL in place and he being a leader in that regard, the lure of million in the league isn't as tempting 

2) The opportunity to legitimately contend for a national championship. Guys this team is close and basically everyone returns next year. Next year's team will be in playoff discussions. Promise.

3) A legit Heisman campaign. Everyone knows how special this kid is. What I have yet to see is a campaign to match his talents. Like what we saw during Ricky's, Vince's and Colt's Heisman candidacy. 

Idk, maybe wishful thinking but it wouldn't be shock to see him return. I know all we here is how this is his last season but I haven't heard him say it ??‍

 

[tejasrulz]

Bijan, is the best back nation and will be the 1st back taken in next year's draft. He's also the best back in Longhorn history since Cedric Benson. As much of a Jamal Charles fan I am, Bijan is better. While we pub him as a Heisman candidate, when I look nationally his name isn't mentioned. Now to my random question: do any of you see him returning for his senior season? I actually think there's a chance; for several reasons actually (in no particular order):

1) Money isn't an issue. With NIL in place and he being a leader in that regard, the lure of million in the league isn't as tempting 

2) The opportunity to legitimately contend for a national championship. Guys this team is close and basically everyone returns next year. Next year's team will be in playoff discussions. Promise.

3) A legit Heisman campaign. Everyone knows how special this kid is. What I have yet to see is a campaign to match his talents. Like what we saw during Ricky's, Vince's and Colt's Heisman candidacy. 

Idk, maybe wishful thinking but it wouldn't be shock to see him return. I know all we here is how this is his last season but I haven't heard him say it ??‍

Yea losing him & RoJo next year would definitely suck. I've wonder myself if he would stay one more year like Ricky did because he enjoys the college experience.

 

[DBut82]

Yea losing him & RoJo next year would definitely suck. I've wonder myself if he would stay one more year like Ricky did because he enjoys the college experience.

^^^THIS^^^

Ricky, as we know, was just a different cat. But I also believe this is a positive of NIL. If he truly enjoys the college experience, can earn his degree and doesn't have the money pressure to provide for his family, it would seem that the decision to return to school is that much easier. 

 

[Hiwood]

I fault the UT SID dept for not mounting a Bijan for Heisman campaign...seems like the only one singing his praises is Sark and he chastises media and social media for not singing his praises...Part of the problem is that Texas doesnt have the same reputation right now as the Ohio St- Bama-Georgia-Clemson programs. Until UT gets in the mix and is a perennial threat to get into the CFB playoffs their players won't get the love from the media or on social media

I dont see any way that Bijan comes back even with NIL....the only thing that keeps him here is how close is he to getting a degree, something tell me that is important to his family

Right now the Heisman race seems to be Stroud-Hooker-maybe Young

 

[BruiseLee]

Unfortunately, our OL is still young and not very good at run blocking.  It seems like every play Bijan gets the ball, there's a guy or two already in the backfield.  It's a shame really, but it is what it is.  His earning potential is just so much bigger as a pro that he has to go.

 

[NEOkHorn]

Something that was mentioned on the broadcast yesterday may be a another factor in his decision. He supposedly wants to be an actor long term and McConaughey is something of a mentor. I would not be surprised to see Bijan have a similar career to Barry Sanders as far as walking away from the game early to pursue other interests. If football isn’t his long term life goal, putting off the NFL another year to get a degree, foster his acting dreams, and enjoying the college experience a little longer would not be a surprise. Then again, this may all be my wishful thinking.

 

[Eastexhorn]

Bijan and Whitt returning wouldbe great and strangier things have happened.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

It would require Sark's best recruiting job ever.

 

[dssl]

One other factor is we have lots of great backs in the pipeline.  If Bijan stays you would have to wonder if some of those guys may eye the portal.

 

[java]

Bijan, is the best back nation and will be the 1st back taken in next year's draft. He's also the best back in Longhorn history since Cedric Benson. As much of a Jamal Charles fan I am, Bijan is better. While we pub him as a Heisman candidate, when I look nationally his name isn't mentioned. Now to my random question: do any of you see him returning for his senior season? I actually think there's a chance; for several reasons actually (in no particular order):

1) Money isn't an issue. With NIL in place and he being a leader in that regard, the lure of million in the league isn't as tempting 

2) The opportunity to legitimately contend for a national championship. Guys this team is close and basically everyone returns next year. Next year's team will be in playoff discussions. Promise.

3) A legit Heisman campaign. Everyone knows how special this kid is. What I have yet to see is a campaign to match his talents. Like what we saw during Ricky's, Vince's and Colt's Heisman candidacy. 

Idk, maybe wishful thinking but it wouldn't be shock to see him return. I know all we here is how this is his last season but I haven't heard him say it ??‍

I had wondered if NIL might give some guys something to think about. The sportscasters last night mentioned that the Spring is when Bijan has acting. 
 

The young man has so much going for him, in all phases of his life. He is amazing. 
 

I don’t think Texas could start a campaign for him before the season.  Before next season is another story, and if we start one, it will be a thing of beauty. Ricky’s was. 
 

Hook ‘em, Bijan!

 

[Utjb1]

Not UTs fault but the award has become more of a QB lean so a running back on a team that quickly lost two games won’t have their running back in conversation no matter how good - unless we keep winning!

 

[BWilk55]

I fault the UT SID dept for not mounting a Bijan for Heisman campaign...seems like the only one singing his praises is Sark and he chastises media and social media for not singing his praises...Part of the problem is that Texas doesnt have the same reputation right now as the Ohio St- Bama-Georgia-Clemson programs. Until UT gets in the mix and is a perennial threat to get into the CFB playoffs their players won't get the love from the media or on social media

I dont see any way that Bijan comes back even with NIL....the only thing that keeps him here is how close is he to getting a degree, something tell me that is important to his family

Right now the Heisman race seems to be Stroud-Hooker-maybe Young

I do think the social media guys are trying to get his stats out there often.

Biggest problem is, he doesn't have eye popping stats right now. His play is far and away reflective of his talent, and there is no question he is the top RB draft prospect but despite many "heisman moments" he has yet to have any heisman stat lines. He has been uber consistent, right at 150 all purpose yards and a 2 TDs a game but we need him to pop for a 250 yd day a few times down the stretch.

I think the heisman is probably out of reach, especially it being so QB centric these days. The real award he could push to win would be the Doak Walker. Statistically I think he has a great chance to be a finalist at this point but I was hoping he would run away with this award and we aren't there yet.

 

[BWilk55]

^^^THIS^^^

Ricky, as we know, was just a different cat. But I also believe this is a positive of NIL. If he truly enjoys the college experience, can earn his degree and doesn't have the money pressure to provide for his family, it would seem that the decision to return to school is that much easier. 

I think Bijan is a pretty different cat too, not in the same way that Ricky was but Bijan's ultimate goals probably aren't the same as 90% of other college players.

He'd be set to make 10 millionish in a signing bonus plus his contract if he goes pro and drafted around pick 15. I don't know how much his NIL deals are but they are probably not too far below that number. Also, remember, his NIL deals don't disappear once he is a pro, if anything, his endorsements only grow. 

The return could be a chance to go for the heisman, a national championship and will be better suited to do so behind a more experienced O-line, with a more experienced QB. 

I'm not holding my breath, but I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[NEOkHorn]

19 minutes ago, BWilk55 said:

His performance and the team’s the next 3 games could vault him right back into the thick of the conversation.

 

[oldhorn2]

I am a huge Bijan fan. The one thing I wonder about him is how he can spin,dodge, or just flat bust out of a tackle, but if any defender ever gets a hand on his foot, he trips and falls down......kinda like Achilles...super powered, but vulnerable in his foot.

 

[NEOkHorn]

I am a huge Bijan fan. The one thing I wonder about him is how he can spin,dodge, or just flat bust out of a tackle, but if any defender ever gets a hand on his foot, he trips and falls down......kinda like Achilles...super powered, but vulnerable in his foot.

I think it’s the side effect of his ability to spin, dodge, and bust tackles. He keeps his quick feet allows him to do that but it also means his feet are close to the ground as opposed to the to RBs that run with high knees and aren’t usually as shifty. He has the feet of a smaller, quicker back instead a power back like his size would seem to indicate. Jmho

 

[BWilk55]

I think it’s the side effect of his ability to spin, dodge, and bust tackles. He keeps his quick feet allows him to do that but it also means his feet are close to the ground as opposed to the to RBs that run with high knees and aren’t usually as shifty. He has the feet of a smaller, quicker back instead a power back like his size would seem to indicate. Jmho

I asked the question this weekend, is he so elusive that he gets "tripped" on a play where a lot of RBs end up getting tackled? In other words, most RBs get hit square while Bijan makes a move and the defender only gets a shoelace which is sometimes enough to trip him up. 

 

[Johnny Depp]

 If we can run on IS, we can run on anybody, and we will in the coming Big 12 stretch. There hasn't been anything all year in the center/guard area, but the tackle/TE/slot area is there, especially behind Banks. Sark has been slow to see this development which cost us a couple of games trying to force runs that aren't/weren't there and killing possessions early. 

 This problem carries over from last year where we had/have a top running back room that has been under utilized. As great as Bijan is, the separation in that room is not great. All 4 are special with each having their own particular style. The ability to get the ball in the hands of these guys in space will determine how our season goes.

 The RB's as a group are right at 50% of our receiving stats and they are largely interchangeable. Every one of those guys must be accounted for by the defense when they are running routes, and that opens up other receivers even when they aren't the target. Bijan's athleticism and good hands have even more potential as a receiver. The deep threat we are looking for is right there in that room.

While Bijan will likely have some huge games going forward, his Heisman hopes were largely dashed vs Bama. The matchup with the last years Heisman winner and an SEC team is the measuring tool everyone will look at, and it was a bad day. The team didn't win, and Youngs 217 yds passing vs Bijan's 57 rushing put a quick end to his campaign.

 

[longhorn_mig]

A few things...

(1) Although I still think Bijan will leave for the draft after the season, if anyone were to stay, it would be him. He's just different than your typical player, and it seems like he truly enjoys being in college. Also, NIL definitely helps financially if he decided to stay.

(2) One thing that might drive a decision to leave for the draft is his playing time in the league. Generally speaking, shelf life for RBs is short. Not everyone can be Frank Gore.

(3) Unfortunately, the timing wasn't great for Bijan. He has a young line this season that is better as pass blocking than run blocking. I anticipate he'll have a stronger second half of the season, as the line will get better and more experienced. In turn, he might get a little Heisman buzz, but only if we win out. If he came back, the Heisman hype would definitely be there. The team would be better, with a lot more starters coming back and a potential pre-season Top 10 ranking (again, depending on how the rest of the season plays out).