Tennessee is getting a key piece back on the defensive line ahead of its matchup with Auburn.
Starting defensive tackle Nathan Robinson is off the availability report, a strong sign that he’ll be available when the Vols face the Tigers. The senior has been with Tennessee for all four years of his college career and started the first two games of this season at defensive tackle before missing the games against Kennesaw State and Texas.
With Robinson out, Xavier Gilliam and Daevin Hobbs handled most of the work on the interior. JJ Finch, Ethan Utley and Isaiah Campbell also rotated in, and Tennessee even mixed in several edge rushers at times.
Robinson has recorded four tackles this season and has not yet posted a sack or tackle for loss, but he has been productive in the snaps he’s played. PFF has him graded at 63.2 across his two appearances.
His role has grown steadily over the last two seasons. In 2025, Robinson played in all 13 games and finished with 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He came off the bench in every game, averaging 22.6 snaps per outing.
Back in 2024, he was further down the depth chart on one of the nation’s top defensive fronts, but still managed three tackles while seeing most of his action on field goal and PAT units. As a freshman in 2023, he appeared in the opener against Virginia in Nashville and did not record a stat.
Robinson is from Greenbrier, Tennessee, where he played at Greenbrier High School. Tennessee and Auburn are set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
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