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Nathan Roberts got a phone call on Friday that drastically changed the path of his next four years.

With National Signing Day looming, Roberts received a call from the University of Tennessee, wanting him to come visit over the weekend during UT’s “Junior Day.” Roberts was quick to accept the visit and, during that visit, received an offer to be a preferred walk-on.

The rest was history.

On Wednesday, in the Morristown East auditorium around friends and family, Roberts signed to the University of Tennessee to be a preferred walk-on wide receiver.

“It means a lot,” Roberts said. “It’s pretty crazy and just a huge blessing. It kind of came out of the blue at the end, and it’s just really cool.

“I was able to go down on Saturday and have a visit. By Sunday night, I had already made my decision. It was awesome there, and I knew this was a no brainer.”

A two-way player at Morristown East, Roberts will be a wide receiver for UT, joining a loaded receiver room the Vols already tout.

Before UT came in the picture, Roberts received interest from Mercer and Carson-Newman.

While the chance to play Division One football at an SEC school was too good of an opportunity to pass up, the decision was made even easier for Roberts as he has lived just an hour away from Knoxville and UT for his entire life.

And after the year that the Vols had, winning 11 games and capping it off with an Orange Bowl victory, the chance to join the UT program became even more exciting.

“Growing up in East Tennessee and just an hour away from Knoxville, yea you grow up liking UT,” Roberts said. “It’s always been a huge dream to go DI. Having this opportunity is just a blessing.

“After the season they had, it just makes this even more exciting just being a part of a team that has been that successful.”

Roberts joins UT after four years at Morristown East. Roberts was a safety for the ‘Canes for three years before splitting time in 2022 as a defensive back and wide receiver.

This past season, Roberts caught 32 passes for 681 yards and five touchdowns. He was named to the All-Region team, as well as the All-Lakeway Team.

“My time at East has meant a lot,” Roberts said. “Just the team and getting to know a lot of guys. Playing with them these four years has just been awesome.”

Roberts has also left an impression on his coach over his four years playing for the ‘Canes. Morristown East coach Caleb Slover talked about the versatility of Roberts, playing both sides of the ball, and just the opportunity he has been given.

“It’s big for us and for our program and is a big deal for him,” Slover said. “This came at the last minute but after talking to some of the guys at UT and discussing with them what all he’s going to do, he’s going to have a great opportunity. He’s going to get to go in in the summer and be a part of it early on. He’s come a long way for us. He stepped up big time this year for us going both ways and had a big year production wise. Incredible opportunity for him and we’re all extremely excited for him.”

Roberts’ high school career was capped off in a big way as the ‘Canes fought their way into the playoffs on the Class 6A level. While the result in the playoffs wasn’t the way he wanted his high school career to end, just making the playoffs was a special moment.

“It was definitely special to reach that goal we had was huge,” Roberts said. “It sucked getting there and losing. But getting there was awesome.”

Before getting to UT, Roberts wants to work on bulking up and his speed.

“I’m just going to try and keep my head down and be the best,” Roberts said.