Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1492675
4 0 M A R C H 2 0 2 3 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 3 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / P enn State signed an impressive class of linebackers this year. Vir- ginia natives Tony Rojas and Kaveion Keys are coming off excellent senior seasons, with both earning spots in the On300. Flash back to 16 months ago, however, and most of the talk was about the third linebacker who would eventually join this class: Ta'Mere Robinson of Brashear High in Pittsburgh. One of the most coveted players on the Nittany Lions' recruiting board, Robin- son was a four-star prospect in the On3 Consensus with the frame (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and athleticism to pique the in- terest of schools across the country. Unfortunately for Robinson, a torn an- terior cruciate ligament in a game against rival Allderdice in October 2021 changed everything. Not only did he miss the final few games of his junior season, but the rehabilitation process lasted into the fall of 2022, forcing him to sit out his senior year as well. "It's been a struggle. A long process. After this, I feel like I can do anything," Robinson said at the end of December. "I've been doing a lot of training after school, as well as physical therapy. We really tried to do everything we could to get the knee stronger." Robinson enrolled at Penn State in Jan- uary, giving him an opportunity to partic- ipate in spring practice next month. He's off to a strong start, having impressed the staff during winter workouts. "He's so big. He's so athletic. He's coming off an injury, so he's hungry. To watch what that kid had to do to even get back to this point, I think the sky's the limit for him," said Kenny Sanders, Penn State's director of player personnel. "He's a dude that I think is going to have an opportunity to be really special for us in a room that is already pretty special." Before he committed to Penn State last July, Robinson totaled 30 scholarship of- fers over a two-year span. He admitted that he was close to committing to the Lions near the end of the 2021 season, but he held off after defensive coordina- tor Brent Pry left to become head coach at Virginia Tech. It took a few months, but Robinson eventually became comfortable with Pry's successor, Manny Diaz. That rela- tionship, plus a growing friendship with Rojas and an eagerness to join returning PSU linebackers Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs, made him feel comfortable stick- ing with his original plan. "Tony is my guy," Robinson said. "That relationship is great. He's my dog. We talk all the time. "We can't wait to turn it up with Abdul and Curtis and everyone there already. I think we're going to have a really good linebacker room." ■ Robinson was forced to miss his senior season at Brashear High in Pittsburgh due to a knee injury, but he's already enrolled at Penn State and is expected to participate in spring practice. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER Ta'Mere Robinson Elite linebacker prospect is eager to get back on the field RYA N S N Y D E R | R YA N. S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M LB | 6-3 | 230 Brashear High Pittsburgh Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Consensus HHHH 246 26 3 On3 HHHH — 29 6 ESPN HHHH — 23 5 Rivals HHHH 188 12 2 247Sports HHHH — 28 2 Statistics • Totaled 44 tackles as a junior, including 7 for loss and 3 sacks, as well as 1 interception in five games before tearing his anterior cruci- ate ligament • Sat out his senior season while recovering from ACL surgery the prior year Notable • Was a three-year team captain • Also participated in basketball and track Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on July 15, 2022 • Recruited by cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz • Picked Penn State over Miami and Virginia Tech • Officially visited on June 17, 2022 • Enrolled in January 2023 2023 Projection Robinson enrolled at Penn State early, which should prove important for him after he missed his entire senior season. However, considering his lack of reps over the past two years, and factoring in the return of junior Ty- ler Elsdon and redshirt sophomore Kobe King at middle linebacker, we expect Robinson to play in four games but ultimately redshirt. They Said It BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "De- fensive coordinator Manny Diaz wants his biggest, strongest linebackers playing in the middle. Robinson's powerful frame is per- fect for that role. The Will position would be a good fit, too. Penn State has traditionally put its biggest, fastest, freakiest playmakers at this spot and let them chase the football down. Robinson is a quality candidate to play on the weak side." T H E R O B I N S O N F I L E