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WINTER 2024-25 23 that he's the most dynamic football player in the state of Virginia, regardless of what the rankings may say, just watching how he plays the game, watching him on the bas- ketball court. "He's a three-sport athlete. He comes from an unbelievable family. He's extremely humble. He's got a big, bright smile, a ton of charisma, unbe- lievable leadership." Elliott's evaluation proved to be correct. Robinson became an immediate impact player for the Cavaliers as a true first- year in 2023. He appeared in all 12 games and made a total of eight starts including eight of the last nine games. Robinson led all ACC true first-years in tackles (71), and had 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 intercep- tions and 4 QB hurries. He led or co-led UVA in tackles five times. Robinson's signature moment of his debut season came in a Thursday night nationally televised game at then-No. 11 Louisville. He intercepted a Jack Plummer play-action pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14. It was the first interception return for a touch- down by a UVA linebacker since D'Sean Perry returned an interception 84 yards for a score against Abilene Christian in 2020. Robinson finished with 4 tackles on the night including his first career sack. It wasn't long after when Robinson was receiving the national recognition he de- served and Elliott envisioned. The first-year collected Freshman All-America honors from four different publications, including a pair of first-team nods. For his first offseason, Robinson focused on improving his game not only physically but mentally. He focused on the little details of filling gaps, eye discipline, learning the defense and getting everyone else around him in the right spots. "I was playing at 225 last year, I was small," Robinson said of Year 1. "I wasn't going to let [my size] mess up my game be- cause I know I can play with those dudes." Robinson teamed up with the Virginia strength and conditioning staff as well as the program's nutrition staff to put on an ex- tra 15 pounds for his second-year season. "You talk about energy, flying around, playing fast, that's Kam," said defensive coordinator John Rudzinski. "Being in Year 2, there is a new maturity that comes with be- ing in the defensive scheme and then being comfortable with being a student-athlete at the University of Virginia." The hard work paid off. Robinson is a sta- ple in the middle of a Cavaliers defense that has improved leaps and bounds since Rob- inson was a bright-eyed rookie on a 3-9 UVA team. As a second-year, Robinson has pro- gressed and is integral in UVA's turnaround season under Elliott. The sociology major is the epitome of the team's mantra — fast, intelligent and tough. Robinson has fought through several nagging injuries including an injured shoulder. Despite the setbacks, Rob- inson finished second on the team in tackles (64) and led the team in sacks (5). "He's a warrior," Elliott said. "He's one that's going to put his body on the line." One thing unchanged in Robinson is his big personality. A team rule under Elliott is to travel in style. Each member of the team is required to wear a suit en route to home and away games. You can't miss him when he's wearing his big "KRob" chain over top his tie. That's a self-titled nickname that came out of necessity. "My dad worked at a shipyard in Newport News and they called him Big Rob," said Robinson. "Guys at home called me KRob. [This year] too many guys on the team are named Kam, so I said call me KRob, and of course that had to go on the chain." For a small town kid, Robin- son is making his mark in a big way on the Cavaliers football program. Elliott and his staff hope that the presence of a guy like KRob opens the doors of the Hardie Center for more blue chip prospects from the Commonwealth and beyond. "You point to Kam Robinson and then you look at [first-year wide receiver] Kam Courtney who are having some early suc- cess on the field, and [second-year defen- sive tackle] Anthony Britton is another one playing and having success," Elliott added. "I think you can point to those. "And then as time goes on, those guys will be able to be spokespersons for the program in terms of what their experience has been like inside the walls of this build- ing, inside the program, but also their expe- rience on Grounds." "You talk about energy, flying around, playing fast, that's Kam." UVA DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOHN RUDZINSKI ON ROBINSON Robinson finished second on the team in tackles (64) and led the squad in sacks (5) in 2024. (Photo courtesy UVA)