Pro Bowl RB Reveals Why he Didn't End up at USC

The USC Trojans have fielded stronger recruiting results for the 2026 class. But there was a time they missed on landing a Pro Bowl running back -- who nearly chose USC. 

Bijan Robinson took the trip down memory lane during his appearance on the LOL Network's "Cold as Balls" with Kevin Hart Tuesday. The 2024 Pro Bowl RB with the Atlanta Falcons once was the nation's No. 1 RB for the 2020 class. 

College football fans remember Robinson choosing Texas and delivering a stout career in Austin. But USC happened to be in the mix, too, for the Tucson star. Robinson revealed why he didn't end up at USC. 

USC versus LSU during the start of the 2024 season. 

Louis Lopez/IMAO

"Reggie Bush was my favorite player. I was like ‘If I can wear number 5 and bring it out of retirement, I’ll come to USC!'" Robinson shared. 

Unfortunately, that request clearly never fell through. Robinson wound up wearing No. 5 for Texas. He became a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher while wearing the famed number Bush wore in college. Except Robinson did his damage against Big 12 competition and with the Longhorns logo on his helmet. 

"Five" is one of the more revered numbers at USC. Not many have worn that number post Bush. Granted, USC started to distance itself from Bush following his fallout from the high-profile NCAA investigation revealing improper benefits handed to Bush.

USC, however, reinstated Bush in Sept. 2024 and has since retired the number. Bush joins Caleb Williams (No. 13) as the retired jerseys from '24. No one on the 2025 USC spring roster claimed Bush's number. 

Robinson added Ohio State was in the mix during his recruiting period along with USC. The Falcons star could've became brief teammates with 2025 first round selection Jaxson Dart, who played quarterback at USC before transferring. 

Ironically, Robinson wound up playing for former Trojans head coach Steve Sarkisian in Austin.