Keilan Robinson Bio
Keilan Robinson (born February 16, 2000) is an American professional football running back and return specialist. He currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Robinson previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is best known for his work as a return specialist and for his college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns.
Early Life and Background
Keilan Robinson was born on February 16, 2000, in Washington, D.C., USA. He attended St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., where he quickly established himself as one of the top running backs in the region. He was selected All-D.C. as both a junior and a senior, while helping his team win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title.
His strong high school performance earned him an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. Robinson was rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, ranking as the second-best recruit in Washington, D.C., the 15th-best running back in the country, and the 244th-best player overall. Following his senior season, he committed to play college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Path to American Football
Robinson’s path to professional American football began at St. John’s College High School, where he developed into a top-tier running back prospect. His standout high school career and four-star rating attracted attention from major college programs across the country. The invitation to the Under Armour All-America Game further solidified his status as one of the premier running backs in his recruiting class.
He chose to begin his college career at Alabama, one of the most storied programs in college football. After spending time with the Crimson Tide, Robinson entered the NCAA transfer portal and continued his development at Texas. His combination of collegiate experience at two elite programs prepared him for the transition to the professional level, where he was eventually drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Keilan Robinson Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Robinson totaled 34 carries for 254 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman at Alabama in 2019 while appearing in eight games. His production as a freshman gave him valuable experience within one of the toughest conferences in college football. Despite being part of a crowded backfield, he managed to carve out a role as a reliable contributor.
During the 2020 season, Robinson opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not play. The Crimson Tide went undefeated that year and won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship over the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 52-24. Although Robinson never played a single game that season, he was awarded three rings, one for each victory in the playoffs. All three rings were later featured in a 2022 episode of Pawn Stars, where they were sold for a total of $40,000.
Alabama to Texas Transfer (2021-2023)
Following his time at Alabama, Robinson entered the NCAA transfer portal and committed to the Texas Longhorns. In his first year at Texas in 2021, he ran for 322 yards on 45 attempts while scoring three touchdowns. He also added seven receptions for 57 yards and was named an honorable mention for the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year award.
The following season in 2022, Robinson ran 25 times for 86 yards and caught 20 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. He emerged as a top special teams player, earning honorable mention for Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and honorable mention All-Big 12 as a return specialist. He finished third in the conference in both kick return yards with 405 and yards per return at 25.2, while also recording four tackles, a blocked punt return touchdown, and a blocked punt.
In his final college season in 2023, Robinson totaled 12 rushes for 134 yards and three touchdowns, along with eight catches for 56 yards. He added 22 kick returns for 494 yards and a touchdown, earning fourth-team All-Big 12 honors from Phil Steele. Following the season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2024)
Robinson was selected in the fifth round, 167th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth $4.30 million. Robinson was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, to begin the season, but was activated on November 19. He played in six games and recorded two kick returns for 34 yards in a Week 14 win over the Tennessee Titans.
Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets Era (2025)
Robinson was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 4, 2025. Shortly after, on June 6, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was waived by the Eagles on August 25, 2025. On September 9, 2025, Robinson was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad. He was placed on the practice squad injured list on September 18.
Driving Style and Strengths
Robinson’s primary strengths lie in his work as a return specialist rather than as a traditional feature running back. His ability to generate big plays in the kick return game was a hallmark of his college career at Texas, where he averaged 25.2 yards per return. He has shown versatility by contributing as a rusher, receiver, and returner, making him a valuable multi-phase player.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most unique stories in Robinson’s career involves his three Alabama national championship rings, which were sold on a 2022 episode of Pawn Stars for a total of $40,000, despite Robinson never playing a game during the championship season. His draft selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft marked the official start of his professional career.
Keilan Robinson Career Wins
Keilan Robinson’s career win highlights include his college football achievements and his NFL debut win with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While his professional win totals remain limited due to short tenures with each team, he has been part of winning efforts at both the collegiate and professional levels.
NFL Highlights
Robinson’s most notable NFL moment came during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, when he recorded two kick returns for 34 yards in a Week 14 win over the Tennessee Titans. That game marked one of his few regular-season appearances as a professional. His role on special teams has been the primary avenue for his contributions at the NFL level.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Robinson was part of Alabama’s undefeated 2020 squad that won the College Football Playoff National Championship, earning three championship rings despite opting out of the season. He also helped St. John’s College High School win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title during his high school career.
Keilan Robinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Keilan Robinson’s family background is not widely available in verified public sources. His upbringing in Washington, D.C., and his development at St. John’s College High School helped shape his path toward a career in professional football.
Personal Life
Keilan Robinson was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He attended St. John’s College High School before continuing his education and football career at the University of Alabama and later the University of Texas. He stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 192 pounds based on his listed measurements.
2025 Season Performance
Keilan Robinson’s 2025 season has been marked by movement between multiple NFL organizations. After being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 4, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on June 6. His time in Philadelphia was brief, as he was waived by the Eagles on August 25, 2025.
Following his release from the Eagles, Robinson was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad on September 9, 2025. He was placed on the practice squad injured list on September 18, which has limited his ability to contribute on the field during the early portion of the season. His primary value remains as a return specialist, an area where he has consistently produced throughout his football career.
Looking ahead, Robinson’s outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season will depend heavily on his recovery from injury and his ability to earn a spot on the Jets’ active roster. His track record as a productive return man in college and his draft pedigree from the 2024 NFL Draft give him a credible path toward earning more opportunities in New York.