Interview: 3-Star 2023 Tennessee LB Nathan Robinson Piling Up SEC Offers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Tennessee offenses were able to runaway from linebacker Nathan Robinson during the 2020 season, but that will not be the case this fall. After earning All-Region and All-County as a sophomore, the 6-5, 245-pound, defender is moving from Sam to Mike getting into the thick of the action. No matter the position, end, outside linebacker, or middle linebacker, college programs are zeroing in on Robinson’s talents to transform any given game. Greenbrier’s three-star prospect has landed eight offers thus far with teams giving him the good news in-person at individual camps.
For a look at Robinson’s offseason workouts and impressive college camp circuit, he stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed one-on-one.
Interview
Nathan, you are that athletic guy getting after it in the box and on the other side of the line. There is an excitement you bring to the field that shows on your game film. What do you love about playing football?
Hmm… it has always been a big part of my life. I have been playing since I was seven-years-old. I’d like to say I have always been good at football, even back to when I was seven-years-old. Football has always been a sport that I have loved. I have never been disappointed playing football.
During the 2020 season, what base defense were the Bobcats running and what was your role within the scheme?
It was a 3-3-5. But we’d have a safety come down to cover the slot and the second down safety would play free safety. The defense was set up for the linebackers to succeed. The ends and linebackers blitz in our defense. I was Sam. I’d blitz the edge, and when not rushing I was out on the hook/curl range for a pass.
When you closed out your sophomore season, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game as a defender?
Definitely my physicality and intelligence. I’m a smart football player, I know what is going on.
When the 2021 season gets going, which roles are you taking on?
I am moving to Mike, at middle linebacker. Our other linebacker was a senior. And I am at tight end now. I am on both sides of the ball. They are not throwing me in on special teams this year so I can have a short break between drives.
Are you starting at tight end?
Yes, sir.
Have you played tight end before?
This is our first year back to a Wing T. Our old offense was a Wing Back; we had some tight end sets in that offense. I was out there some at tight end or at H-back last season.
What have you been working on this offseason with the fundamentals on defense this offseason?
At the camps, they had me playing as a defensive lineman. I’ve never played on the defensive line before. This offseason I have been working on my edge rushing moves and my speed. Last year I ran a 5.1. This year I got to a 4.8 in my 40. I am not comfortable with that. My goal is a 4.6 by the end of the calendar year, which would be nice. I’ve been working on my rushing moves. On passing plays, our linebackers have a zone. I have the length and wingspan to cover my zone.
Going into the weight room, what have you been doing in there?
My program was 3-5, squat, bench, cleans, and mix it up. With every workout, I add five pounds to each lift. I did that my freshman year to sophomore year; that got me to varsity. The focus is on the main four lifts, bent over rows, and shoulder press. I do the full workout.
On the main four lifts, have you maxed out this offseason?
Yes, my squat is 475, my bench is 265, my clean is 315, and my deadlift is 510 to 520.
Nice. What have you been doing to push your speed to that next level?
My defensive backs and receivers coach is also our track coach. He’s been coaching me since middle school. He played college and in pro leagues and knows more about football than anyone I know and about training too. During track season, throwing shot and discus, I’d throw for about 20 minutes and then go do resistance band runs.
There is a hill next to the track; it is steep. It is about a 50-degree hill that I would run up. I did that for two weeks. That was the main speed workout I did with the mindset of getting my speed up. At the Tennessee camp, I ran a 4.8; I was shocked.
Let’s stick with camps. Did you compete at any national camps this spring?
In April, I went to a Rivals camp in Indy. I was invited to the 5-Star Challenge but I messed up my groin at a Virginia Tech camp the week before; I didn’t go to that one.
Which college camps did you compete at this summer?
The first on was Tennessee on a Friday, Auburn on Monday, Ole Miss on Tuesday, then a break. On Thursday I went to a West Virginia camp and then Virginia Tech on a Friday. That Saturday was supposed to be Vanderbilt camp, but I was dead. I called their defensive line coach and asked if I can just workout some other time because I was dead. On Sunday, I went to Lexington.
The Tennessee camp, how did that go for you?
I did really well, considering that was my first time as a defensive lineman.
What did you get to showcase of skills in front of the Tennessee coaches?
Compared to a typical defensive lineman, I am pretty quick. My quickness and getting around the edge faster than offensive linemen could kick slide out there. I did that well.
If you will, tell me about your Auburn camp performance.
My dad was telling me that was, in his opinion, my best camp performance. They had me do some linebacker work and dropping into coverage; my zone drops were up there with the best at the camp. I don’t want to say I was the best, but they were good. I was happy to show that. As a defensive lineman, that was my second time playing that position, I dominated some more. My 40 there was a 4.9; that was coming off the Tennessee camp. My legs were throbbing from being used up. All things considered, when I asked the time and they told me, I was excited about that.
Which drills did they put you through at the Kentucky camp?
We got all our agilities out of the way; we did the basic testing and then agility. The normal stuff. After that, we went and watched film on Kentucky’s linebackers and defensive linemen. They put us through position specific drills – practicing our swipe and then pull our hips through; that was the main thing at a lot of camps. For the one on ones, that was probably my best camp.
Very cool. It sounds like some of the schools are liking you as and end not a linebacker. Is that the case?
Yes, sir.
Are you cool with that?
Yes, sir. If they want to give me a scholarship, I will play whatever position they ask me to play.
Love it. Let’s roll with that. From what you know, which schools are showing interest heading into the season?
On Twitter, South Carolina has six or seven coaches following me. I am wondering what they are thinking. They did not send me a camp invite. They’ve probably looking at me the most of the schools that have not offered me as far as I know.
How many offers do you have?
I have eight offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
The last couple were West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Kentucky. All my offers were in order at the camps.
Robinson’s Offer Sheet: Akron, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia
Did you get to take any visits?
After all the camps, I took a visit. I didn’t do the full flashy photo shoots, but I got the tours. At Kentucky, I got to sit with Coach (Brad) White (DC); we were talking. He is the one that was my position group leader at the camp. At some of the schools I went to the coaches’ office for a talk, all of them did a short tour at the end.
Looking ahead, are there any visits coming up for you?
My dad, mom, and I will go to some games this fall. At the end of this month, we are going to Tennessee for a cookout. We are planning on going to all their games. It will be a busy season, waking up Saturday morning after a Friday night game driving to go to games.
Nathan, thanks for taking the time updating us on your camp circuit and recruiting process. Wishing you the best as you prepare for the upcoming season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Robinson family; Nathan Robinson