Penn State adds Pittsburgh native and four-star LB Ta'Mere Robinson to 2023 class

Penn State picked up commitment No. 19 in its Class of 2023 Friday evening with the addition of linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson. A native of Pittsburgh, Robinson has long been considered one of the staff’s most important recruits in the 2023 class, earning an offer from the Nittany Lions way back in April 2020. 

Dating back to his freshman year of high school, Robinson took eight total visits to Penn State, which is more than twice the amount of any other school. Because of that, head coach James Franklin and his staff were considered the team to beat for months now. With that said, Robinson admitted that it was closer than most realized going into his official visit, which took place June 17-19.

“Honestly, it was neck and neck at one point,” Robinson said. “Going into my Penn State visit, I had my mind made up that I was going to Miami. But then, I started to do some more thinking and I came on my official visit to Penn State. After that Penn State visit, I just decided that it was better to stay close to home. I knew Penn State had everything I needed, but it was close at one point.”

Robinson took two visits to Miami, the first of which was an unofficial visit in April. He followed that up with an official visit June 2-4. Former Penn State defensive coordinator and now Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry also gave him something to think about, hosting Robinson for an unofficial in May followed by an official June 10-12. But in the end, the Penn State official visit, and more importantly the people he interacted with, sealed the deal. 

Related: Lions add top linebacker target Tony Rojas to 2023 class

“Through this whole process, I was looking for that family environment,” Robinson said. “I wanted to be comfortable with the commits, the players, the coaches. I wanted to hang around the guys who were already there. When I went up to Penn State for my official visit, it was just a great time up there. That was the only visit I took where all the recruits and all the player hosts just hung around each other the whole time.

“It was literally all of the recruits and the whole team together. We just bonded that whole trip. So, after that, I knew this was the place to be. Seeing the whole environment there, I knew this was the place for me. Meeting the players, it was just a great vibe there. That’s really what it was all about for me.”

Robinson visited Penn State the same weekend that Farifax, Va., native Tony Rojas came to campus for his official visit. Of course, Rojas announced his commitment just yesterday, giving Penn State one of the best linebacker duos in the country.

“When we were up there, Coach [Manny] Diaz was saying that they wanted to bring both of us together on the visit,” Robinson said. “They wanted us to get around each other. They only planned for two [linebackers] this year and we’ve been their top guys from the start. So, it was good hearing that from him and then also connecting with Tony. We’ve gotten pretty close now. They said they would’ve loved for us to commit right [then], but no matter how long we needed, they’re not pushing for any other guys until we’re ready.”

Film Study: What can Penn State fans expect from LB Tony Rojas?

Getting closer with Diaz, who joined Penn State’s staff in December, was also massively important. Robinson admitted back in April that he likely would’ve committed to Penn State sooner had Pry not left the staff. It also gave the 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect a better feel for which linebacker position he’ll play.

“During the official, just sitting down in the film room with Coach Diaz, going over his defense and what my role would be, it was great. I felt like I connected with him more,” Robinson said. “I feel comfortable with him as my coach and I know he’s there for his guys.

“But also, just seeing some of their film from spring camp and how he plans to use me, I had a much better feel for how I would fit in his defense there. He showed me what both the Will and the Mike linebackers do in their defense. He thinks those are probably where I would fit in best, and that me and Tony will be a great pair together.”

Despite the brief moment where Miami became the team to beat, Robinson added that his appreciation for Penn State goes all the way back to October 2019 when he attended the White Out win over Michigan.

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“When I went to my first White Out game, I remember telling my mom that if I got an offer from them, I’m committing,” he said. “Throughout the whole process, she wanted me to stay patient, enjoy myself, but I knew early on that this was probably going to be the place I ended up at.”

Although Penn State has predominantly planned to take just two linebackers this year, there is now a possibility for a third. In late June, Richmond, Va., prospect Kaveion Keys became a serious option following his official visit. He’s set to announce in late August, with North Carolina believed to be Penn State’s primary contender. However, he’s also now looking to visit Florida at the end of July.

With Robinson now on board, Penn State holds commitments from seven Pennsylvania prospects in the 2023 class. Five of them rank in the top six in the state according to On3’s rankings. Robinson ranks No. 126 nationally in the On3 Consensus rankings. He’s the ninth-ranked linebacker and No. 3 overall in Pennsylvania.

The Nittany Lions also moved up one spot in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings to No. 8 overall nationally, surpassing LSU.