Penn State transfer LB Ta'Mere Robinson committed to USC, Lincoln Riley

Former Penn State linebacker transfer Ta’Mere Robinson has committed to USC and head coach Lincoln Riley out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Robinson will have three years of collegiate eligibility remaning.

Robinson’s decision comes less than a week after the former Nittany Lions defender formally entered the portal April 16, the first day of the Spring portal window. Robinson visited the USC campus in Los Angeles over the weekend, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Robinson was the No. 12 linebacker in the transfer portal and No. 259 overall player, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Robinson played high school football at Brashear (Pittsburgh, Pa.) High, where he was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2023, ranking as the No. 3 player overall out of Pennsylvania, the No. 27 linebacker in the class and No. 247 player overall, according to On3 Industry Ranking.

Ta’Mere Robinson becomes USC’s second Spring portal addition, follows Kennedy Urlacher

Robinson appeared in 17 total games over his two years in Happy Valley, including all 14 games in 2024, where he compiled 11 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and half of a sack last season. A knee injury suffered in high school derailed the start of Robinson’s Penn State career, limiting the talented prospect to just three game appearances as a true freshman in 2023, managing just two total tackles as a true freshman.

Earlier this Spring, Penn State assistant coach Justin Lustig praised Robinson’s progress.

“I think his confidence has shown up tremendously in the spring,” Lustig told On3’s Blue-White Illustrated. “I think just being here and the time here and his the reps that he’s gotten in practice, and the reps on special teams, reps on defense and games last year, have been invaluable to him. But he’s certainly a guy that stood out this spring.”

And although Robinson was expected to see an increase in playing opportunities in 2025, the redshirt sophomore opted to enter the portal and is now headed for Hollywood.

Robinson’s commitment follows last weekend’s commitment from former Notre Dame safety Kennedy Urlacher, the son of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher. Robinson is USC’s second portal commitment of the Spring window, following 11 players added during the Winter window: defensive backs Bishop Fitzgerald (NC State) and DJ Harvey (San Jose State); defensive linemen Jamaal Jarrett (Georgia) and Keeshawn Silver (Kentucky); interior offensive linemen J’onre Reed (Syracuse) and DJ Wingfield (Purdue); running back Eli Sanders (New Mexico); receiver Prince Strachan (Boise State); quarterback Sam Huard (Utah); and specialists Caden Chittenden (UNLV) and Sam Johnson (Valparaiso).

— On3’s Greg Pickel contributed to this report.