Virginia’s defense may be getting one of its most dynamic pieces back right on time.
Linebacker Kam Robinson is “on track” to return for the Cavaliers’ season opener against NC State on Saturday, August 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Scott Stadium, according to coach Tony Elliott. Robinson, who tore his ACL last November at Duke and had surgery to repair it, has steadily worked his way back and is now back in individual drills and 7-on-7 work.
“He is. We’ll be smart,” Virginia coach Tony Elliott said Monday.
“In the progression, he’s now introduced back into all of individual drills, 7 on 7 drills he was back out there today. He’ll be in that capacity going through the off day and then come back, he’ll be able to jump in and do some contact stuff.”
That would be a major lift for a Virginia defense that already knows exactly what Robinson can do. He was third on the team last season with 64 tackles despite appearing in only 8 games, and he added 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery, a safety, and a blocked kick.
Robinson’s knack for making game-changing plays has been obvious for a while. According to his VirginiaSports.com bio via Sports-Reference.com, he is the only Football Bowl Subdivision player in the last 20 years to post a blocked punt, interception return for touchdown, and fumble recovery in the same season. He also turned two interceptions into touchdowns last year, becoming just the second UVA player ever to do it twice in one season.
Those pick-sixes came in different ways: a 47-yard interception return in an overtime win at Louisville, then a 35-yard return late in the fourth quarter to close out California. Add in another interception return for a touchdown in 2023, and Robinson has taken 3 of his 5 career interceptions back to the house.
Across his career, Robinson has piled up 199 tackles, 8 sacks, and 5 interceptions. That production has earned him Freshman All-American recognition from On3, College Football Network, The Athletic, and College Football News, along with All-ACC honors - honorable mention in 2024 and third team in 2025 - plus spots on the Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists.
Elliott said the staff will keep watching Robinson closely as camp continues, and that Virginia will take a cautious approach before making any final call on his status for the opener. The Cavaliers have a bye week after NC State, then face Norfolk State, West Virginia, and Delaware through the rest of September.
“We’ll evaluate it based off his comfort level, how he feels when we get there but I think from just the medical progression, we’re on track,” Elliott said. “It doesn’t guarantee but it does leave the possibility that yeah it could happen.”
Elliott also updated a few other injury situations. Safety Corey Costner is also on track to return soon after being limited in preseason practice following an unspecified summer surgery. Incoming transfer Ezekiel Larry is not expected back until later in September after a late-season injury at Yale last fall, linebacker Isaiah Reese will be out for a while with a Lisfranc injury, and offensive lineman Grant Ellinger should be back in a few weeks after knee testing showed it was not an ACL.
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