College Football

Former Penn State Linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson Commits to USC After Transfer Portal Move

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By
Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published22 Apr 2025

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Ta’Mere Robinson is headed west. The former Penn State linebacker has committed to USC and will stay in the Big Ten. 

Ta’Mere Robinson, once a rising star in the heart of Happy Valley, is headed west. The former Penn State linebacker has committed to USC, bringing his talent and untapped potential to a Trojans program eager to bolster its defense under head coach Lincoln Riley and defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

Robinson, who officially entered the transfer portal on April 16, didn’t wait long to find his next home. After a weekend visit to Southern California, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker made his decision, ing a USC team in the midst of reshaping its defense for the seasons ahead.

Robinson’s Journey Through Penn State

Robinson’s time at Penn State was one of quiet development. A four-star recruit out of Pittsburgh’s Brashear High School, he arrived in State College with lofty expectations. Ranked as the No. 189 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class, and the No. 2 player in Pennsylvania, Robinson was seen as a foundational piece for James Franklin’s defense.

His freshman year in 2023 was a redshirt campaign, limited to just three appearances but offering a glimpse of his physicality and athleticism. The 2024 season saw Robinson step into a larger role. He played in 14 games, recording 11 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack. While those numbers might not leap off the stat sheet, they reflect a player still growing into his role.

According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson logged 100 defensive snaps and graded out at 60.8 overall, while contributing an additional 119 snaps on special teams. His versatility, size, and experience make him an intriguing addition to USC’s linebacker corps.

The Fit at USC

At USC, Robinson finds a coaching staff ready to maximize his strengths. Defensive guru D’Anton Lynn, alongside seasoned assistant Rob Ryan, will look to mold Robinson into a key contributor on a defense seeking both toughness and depth.

Robinson arrives with three years of eligibility remaining—a rare commodity for a player with two seasons of Big Ten experience. His commitment also signals a deeper trend for USC: targeting proven talent through the portal to build a competitive roster quickly.

For Robinson, the opportunity to play in the Pac-12 (soon transitioning to the Big Ten) offers a fresh start and a new platform. Under the bright lights of the Coliseum, he’ll look to transform potential into production.

A Strategic Move Amid Transfer Portal Chaos

Robinson’s transfer comes as part of the spring portal window, a short but critical period for players seeking new opportunities. The 10-day window, opening April 16, is one of several avenues players have to explore their options—particularly with coaching changes or shifts in depth charts.

USC’s ability to secure Robinson so swiftly underscores their commitment to aggressive roster management and a keen eye for underutilized talent. For Robinson, it’s a chance to reset and reignite his college career.

And for USC, it’s one more step toward building a defense capable of matching their explosive offense—a balance they’ll need to chase championships in the seasons to come.