Bijan Robinson to have number retired by high school alma mater Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.)

Before impressing at Texas and becoming one of the NFL’s best running backs, Atlanta Falcons superstar Bijan Robinson became one of the greatest high school athletes the state of Arizona has ever seen.

Robinson set an Arizona state record at Salpointe Catholic, rushing for 7,036 yards and scoring 114 total touchdowns during his time as a Lancer. On Thursday, the school announced that Robinson’s No. 5 jersey will soon be retired:

“We’re thrilled to announce that Salpointe will honor Bijan Robinson ’20 by retiring his iconic No. 5 football jersey at our next school assembly,” the school announced via Instagram. “Even more exciting, Bijan will be joining us on campus for this special celebration! We can’t wait to welcome him back to Salpointe and honor the incredible legacy he’s created both on and off the field. Congratulations, Bijan. Once a Lancer, always a Lancer.”

Robinson rushed for over 2,000 yards in each of his final three seasons. Earning Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year honors during his senior year, the class of 2020 standout rushed for 2,235 yards and 38 touchdowns while also hauling in 12 passes for 314 yards and three more scores. He averaged over 17 yards per carry that year and averaged more than 13 YPC across his 46-game career with the Lancers.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder was no under-the-radar recruit, either. He finished as the No. 16 overall prospect and No. 2 running back in the 2020 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.

This story will be updated.

“Salpointe Catholic High School, located in Tucson, AZ, is a private, college-preparatory school that fosters academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. With a strong commitment to faith, the school provides a comprehensive education grounded in Catholic values. The Lancers, its athletic teams, compete with pride and sportsmanship, excelling in various sports. Salpointe offers a rigorous curriculum, including honors and AP courses, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, promoting the development of the whole person.”