Virginia is getting Kam Robinson back at the perfect time.
Fifth-year coach Tony Elliott said Tuesday that the standout linebacker will be on the field Friday night when the Cavaliers face Norfolk State, giving the defense a major boost after Robinson missed the season opener against No. 13 North Carolina State.
Elliott said Robinson was “fully cleared for contact in late August and he warmed up with his teammates prior to UVa’s season-opening victory over NC State. But he did not play in the game.”
That left Virginia without one of its most impactful defenders in the opener, and Elliott was blunt about the difference Robinson can make.
“After the win over the Wolfpack, Elliott said Robinson probably could’ve played against NC State, but that ‘I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened’ to Robinson.”
The Cavaliers managed the situation carefully. Elliott said the team did not want to rush its star defender back, and the extra week gave him time to practice at full-contact speed.
“So, he’ll return for Friday night’s bout against the Spartans.”
Robinson’s value was clear last year, when he was one of the most productive players in the ACC. In eight games, he recorded 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception return for a touchdown at California in the final minute to seal Virginia’s win over the Golden Bears.
His return also matters because Virginia will be missing another linebacker. While Robinson was sidelined for the opener, Jandon Daniels filled in as a starter alongside Maddox Marcellus. Daniels and Marcellus both played well against NC State, with Marcellus finishing with seven tackles and a half tackle for loss and Daniels adding five tackles and a fumble recovery.
Robinson’s absence, Elliott said, made sense in the bigger picture.
“The Cavaliers didn’t want to rush their star defender back, and their bye week gave him extra time to practice at full-contact speed.”
Now, with Norfolk State next on the schedule, Virginia gets its defensive centerpiece back on the field.
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Tony Elliotts Kam Robinson Update Adds Intrigue To Virginias Friday Night Tune-Up
Virginias Friday night tune-up came with a little more intrigue than usual, thanks to Tony Elliotts latest update on linebacker Kam Robinson. Elliott indicated Robinson is expected to play, which is welcome news for a defense that has leaned on its depth at linebacker, but the exact workload still isnt settled as game day approaches. It is the kind of status note that matters in September and beyond, especially for a team trying to keep its best pieces available while staying sharp in a short-week setting.
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Kam Robinson has been one of the more important defensive pieces for Virginia, and his expected return gives the Cavaliers a timely boost as they get ready for Norfolk State. After missing the start of the season because of injury, he is back in the mix at a point when the staff would love to start rebuilding depth and confidence on that side of the ball.
The bigger question is how quickly Robinson can look like himself again, because Virginia is not just hoping for bodies on the field. The coaching staff wants to bring him along carefully and see him become a factor on pass rushes, with an eye toward having him truly ready for the tougher games ahead, including West Virginia. [Read more 🡒]
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The tricky part is that the answer still depends on a few things Virginia cannot fully control, from what happens elsewhere in the ACC to how the selection committee weighs strength of schedule against record. ESPNs Football Power Index has the Cavaliers at 10-2, which would already put them in a strong spot, and an 11-1 finish is the kind of outcome that would force a much bigger discussion about the College Football Playoff and the possibility of lining up against SEC powers if the path gets that far. [Read more 🡒]