Coveted transfer DE Demeioun Robinson arrives to begin Penn State football career
The most recent of Penn State football’s transfer portal additions has arrived to campus. Defensive end Demeioun Robinson, a second-year transfer from Maryland, arrived this past weekend. He is now working out with the Nittany Lions as part of the summer access period.
Robinson was joined by two Class of 2022 arrivals on Sunday, linebacker Abdul Carter and offensive lineman Maleek McNeil.
Having completed his first year of academic work at Maryland, Robinson can take part in program workouts. They’ll lead into his academic course load in the second summer session, which begins on Wednesday, June 29.
What Penn State is getting in Demeioun Robinson
At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, the Gaithersburg, Md., Quince Orchard product is expected to make an immediate impact with the Nittany Lions this season.
Certainly, the defensive end position has opportunity at hand.
In the wake of sending two pieces to the NFL Draft in Arnold Ebiketie and Jesse Luketa, plus a season-ending injury to Zuriah Fisher this spring, Penn State acknowledged its need for ready-to-play DEs this offseason. So, while Adisa Isaac returns from injury with high expectations, and Nick Tarburton returns as a veteran presence, Robinson is expected to quickly acclimate to the program this summer with a chance to contribute in the fall.
In his lone season as a linebacker at Maryland, Robinson did exactly that. Making one start with 13 appearances, he finished with 19 tackles, 2.5 TFL, and a pair of sacks. In the process, he was named a 2021 ESPN Midseason True Freshman All-American for his efforts.
Additionally, in the transfer portal this offseason, Robinson is the No. 5 linebacker in the On3 transfer portal rankings. And, if ranked among the defensive ends, he would be tied for the No. 4 spot.
Before landing with the Terrapins, Robinson was already very much on Penn State’s radar. Robinson considered the Nittany Lions as a finalist alongside LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and Michigan. He was an On3 Consensus four-star and the No. 62 overall player in the Class of 2021.
T. Frank Carr’s evaluation of Demeioun Robinson
“For Demeioun Robinson, he may have a year in the college game, but he’ll be playing a new position for the Nittany Lions. He played a hybrid edge/linebacker role at Maryland and only rushed 66 percent of his available snaps. While that doesn’t seem like an issue, that only amounted to 82 pass-rushing attempts in 12 games, according to PFF.
“However, despite the lack of opportunity, Robinson tallied five pressures in true pass-set situations and won 33% of his attempts. That win percentage was fifth in the Big Ten for players with 80 or more attempts. It’s a minimal sample size, but it’s the profile of an elite rusher. What if you give Robinson the freedom to add mass to his frame, more quality attempts, and support? I think Penn State fans will like the result.”
Players still to enroll at Penn State this summer
Still, nine more members of the Class of 2022 are still left to arrive to Penn State this summer. On3 Consensus five-star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is next to arrive, his date set for the weekend of June 11.
And, the remaining players left to enroll include Mehki Flowers, Anthony Ivey, KJ Winston, Ken Talley, Keon Wylie, Vega Ioane, Kaleb Artis, and Tyrece Mills.
