How did Chop Robinson get his nickname, and what can Penn State expect from the defensive end in 2022?

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State picked up former Maryland defender Demeioun Robinson from the transfer portal earlier this year. However, if you look at the Lions’ official roster, you’ll notice he goes by Chop.

Turns out, the nickname dates back to when he was born. And, it used to be a little bit longer than it is now.

“When I came out of the womb, I was 14 pounds,” Robinson said at Penn State Media Day here on Saturday. “A real big baby, and my dad and my mom started calling me pork chop. Once I got older, I was like, ‘Well, I can’t have people calling me pork chop . So, I just kept it to chop, and that’s how I got my name.”

Robinson is now a really big football player. He stands 6-foot-3, 242 pounds. A native of Gaithersburg, Md., he played some for the Terrapins at linebacker last fall before deciding to hop in the portal in search of a new home. His recruitment came down to Maryland and Penn State, so there was plenty of familiarity with head coach James Franklin and his staff. That, Robinson said, made the decision to come to State College easy. He is now a defensive end for the Nittany Lions.

“Coming out of high school, I was getting recruited heavy here, so it was like, the same atmosphere, a family environment, of course,” Robinson said. “And then once I hopped in the portal, it was the same thing, same coaches, same players; I just felt like it was the right place for me.

“Honestly, the main thing is the brotherhood here. Everybody just wants each other to work hard. Everybody wants each other to be great. It’s just a brotherhood.”

Sizing up Robinson as a defensive end at Penn State

Robinson was ranked as a four-star EDGE in the On3 Consensus player rankings for the Class of 2021. Thus, it should come as little surprise that his transition to defensive end has happened quickly and successfully.

“I think my best ability is the pass rush,,” Robinson said. “But, I could also drop in coverage too. We have some defenses I drop in coverage. I just thought I’m gonna versatile player.

“Camp has been great. I had experience my first year, so I’m a little used to it.”

Defensive line coach John Scott Jr., has been pleased with Robinson’s progress to date.

“Chop is a is a very talented player,” Scott Jr., said. First of all, he comes from a great family, mom, dad. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s a worker, great attitude, and gets better every day. Having the opportunity to work with a guy like Chop, who’s got the physical skills, the toughness, and the speed and agility and quickness; when you get guys like that, they definitely add to your room and make you better.

“It was important to get that. You got to be able to get to the quarterback, you got to be able to cover people, but guys that can get to the quarterback affect your team.”

Head coach James Franklin sees Robinson as someone who can impact Penn State in 2022, as well.

“Chop, at defensive end, that was something that was going to be important to us, obviously with the guys that we lost, [Arnold Ebiketie] and then obviously what we did with Jesse [Luketa] last year, we needed to make sure that we got somebody that could come in as well as developing the guys who were on our roster that could take the next step, getting Adisa [Issac] back helps, too,” Franklin said. “He was a significant loss for us last year.”

Robinson is a significant gain, and Penn State fans can expect to see plenty of him this fall.