It’s not easy to transition from Pittsburgh City League football to the bright lights of Big Ten football and one of the most recognizable programs in the country in Penn State.
For Brashear High School alum and Penn State linebacker Te’Mere Robinson, the journey is just beginning.
A redshirt freshman from Pittsburgh standing 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Robinson is making a solid impression on the coaching staff in his first full season of Big Ten football.
At Penn State media day in early August, coach James Franklin immediately pointed to Robinson as a rising player ready to take the next step.
“Ta’Mere looked different,” Franklin said, pointing to Robinson’s work over the spring and summer. “You noticed that right away,”
Robinson was a three-year captain at Brashear but his senior year due to injury. He appeared in three games last season, maintaining his redshirt status, and made two tackles in the UMass matchup. A new semester and eight months of training have prepared Robinson to meet the moment head-on.
“I’m making those gains that I needed to make,” Robinson said at media day. “Putting more weight on my body, learning the playbook. I’m getting more comfortable with the guys on defense and getting comfortable asking coaches questions.”
Robinson’s efforts earned him Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Game 01 — Players of the Game
at West Virginia
O: @AllarDrew + @IAm_Trey_10
D: @JaylenReed20
ST: @TaMereRobinson3 pic.twitter.com/45YbtiGX0A— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 1, 2024
“All the preparation throughout this summer and all the guys showing me comfortably in the room is amazing,” he said. “I’m ready for growth this year.”
It didn’t take long for Robinson’s effort and hustle to become noticeable. In Penn State’s season opener at West Virginia, the redshirt freshman registered two tackles on special teams. Confidence is key, and Robinson is gushing with motivation to make a name for himself.
“Having the mentality of going 1-0 every week and being out there making plays for the Penn State defense,” Robinson said. “It’s legendary, especially in front of 110,000 fans. I want to go out there and make plays with everybody on the field next to me.”
He hasn’t had the opportunity to play in front of 107k strong. Robinson left the WVU game with an undisclosed injury and did not play against Bowling Green.
Looking to join an elite fraternity of star Penn State linebackers, Robinson learned under 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson and third-rounder Adisa Issac during his redshirt. Linebacker/defensive lineman Abdul Carter remains a key role model and asset for Robinson to learn from on a daily basis.
“When I first came in, those exact three names that you named (Chop, Issac, and Carter), I have a great bond with those guys,” Robinson said.
Robinson, the 21st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, earned 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles-for-loss over 22 games at Penn State. Isaac earned first-team All-Big Ten honors following a 7.5 sack, 37-tackle performance through 13 games a year ago. Carter remains one of the nation’s top defensive players and All-American accolades.
“Chop, I still talk to him to this day,” Robinson said. “Abdul, he still tells me what to do in and out. Adisa was a huge role model. Seeing how those guys carry themselves and how they go about their work, I want to carry myself that way as well.”
When you commit to playing at Penn State or any high-level program, reaching the NFL and pro football are top of mind. Learning from someone who accomplished those goals in real-time is the benefit of being a PSU linebacker.
Ta’Mere’s relationship with Chop pushes him to exceed new heights.
“He was telling me, ‘keep going, everything that you’re putting in now is going to come and play later.’”
Robinson has the traits to become one of PSU’s next great linebackers. A big, physical player who doesn’t shy away from contact, Robinson was arguably Penn State’s best special teams player in the season opener. He takes inspiration from ‘Linebacker U’ legends who continue to support the program and stay visible at games and other events.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “LBU. All of the LBU greats that have been through here. There are still guys that come through (to visit) like Brandon Short and LaVarr Arrington. Seeing those guys and being able to be here at Penn State, coming from a city school, is amazing.”
Robinson didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice portion, which was open to the media, and remains a question mark for next Saturday’s game against Kent State. It remains unclear what Robinson’s role may be in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Has the coordinator switch from Manny Diaz – who took the head coaching position at Duke – to Allen been a positive for Robinson’s career?
“I have a good relationship with coach Allen, especially ever since he came in,” Robinson said. “Having a fresh start with a new coach and being able to show all your abilities and what you’re able to do is amazing.”
Penn State continues to attract Pennsylvania’s top talent spanning Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and everywhere in between. PSU keeps earning commitments from players with geographical ties and offers from good programs like Pitt and Maryland. Confidence and success are major reasons why, but what’s the recruitment secret?
“Honestly, the whole program,” Robinson said. “When I chose this program, I chose it because it was a brotherhood. Everyone here’s close and they make me feel comfortable. Every day I’m coming in, and guys are telling me, ‘Oh yeah, this is your year; you’ve got to step up.’ Just that little bit of pressure is making me go harder and lock into my playbook more.”
Penn State enters its first bye week 2-0 and 8th in the AP poll. Waiting his turn in a reserve role behind Tony Rojas and Kobe King, Robinson wants to crack the lineup and help Penn State clinch a College Football Playoff birth for the first time in program history. Health will be a significant factor, but whenever Robinson returns to the field, he joins a defense ranked seventh in the nation in passing yards, third-best in scoring defense, and first in rushing yards. The Nittany Lions play UCLA (Oct. 5), Ohio State (Nov. 2), and at USC (Oct. 12) in three season-defining matchups that will write the story of the 2024 Nittany Lions and the hopes of a playoff game, potentially at Beaver Stadium.
“We hold a high standard every year, and try to be the No. 1 defense in the country. The standard I hold myself to, I want to be the best me,” Robinson said. “Being on the best defense and being able to be out there with those guys is making me feel like I’m being the best me.”
