Bryan Harsin provides update on status of Marquis Robinson

Auburn defensive lineman Marquis Robinson will return for the 2022 season after entering the transfer portal this offseason, as confirmed by head coach Bryan Harsin. The former four-star recruit will return for his second season with the Tigers after limited action in 2021.

Bryan Harsin issued a statement to reporters on the return during a media session, expressing excitement for Marquis Robinson’s future at Auburn.

“I’m excited about where he’s at in life,” Harsin said, via AL.com. “I like where he is personally and how he’s handled things. The football piece will come. We’re excited to get him going again. We enjoy having him on the team.”

Robinson initial decision to transfer from Auburn came after he was first recruited by former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who left with Gus Malzahn’s staff, and worked under outgoing defensive coordinator Derek Mason in his first collegiate season. Now dealing with his third defensive staff, he returns with hopes of playing a bigger role.

“We lost a lot of guys on the D-line. He’ll add depth,” Harsin said. “It’s good to have him back out there.”

The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman recorded one tackle in his only game action against Georgia this season. He is a former four-star recruit from Florida who ranked No. 236 in the country and No. 35 among defensive linemen.

Bryan Harsin on defensive staff

Auburn has plenty of new faces on the sideline as Bryan Harsin added to his coaching staff, notably on defense. Recently, he broke down how the new coaches have impressed him so far.

Jeff Schmedding and Jimmy Brumbaugh came in as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, respectively.

“I sat in coach Brumbaugh’s meeting yesterday, and I told the players this, too, it was one of the best meetings I’ve been apart of,” Harsin said. “How he was teaching the guys, the information, the examples. I left that meeting room, I was very impressed with what he was teaching and the way he was teaching it.”

Christian Robinson is the new linebackers coach and Roc Bellatoni is the edge linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Harsin also spoke highly of those two as they make the transition.

“Coach Robinson … when I interviewed him, [I said] here’s a good, young coach,” Harsin said. “His dad’s a high school coach. He’s been around the game his whole life. You can tell when you talk to him. Awesome to be around, great energy, the players love him, recruits love him. He gets it, and he’s a guy, again, that’s going to come in, do his work and have himself prepared.

“Roc, he’s been doing this a long time, he’s got a lot of experience. That shows up in the meetings when he’s in front of the whole entire team on special teams. He’s got a great way of coaching players and getting the most out of them.”