Brashear's Ta’Mere Robinson transferring from Penn State to USC

Penn State is losing a linebacker to a Big Ten foe via the transfer portal.

Ta’Mere Robinson, a redshirt sophomore linebacker with the Nittany Lions, is transferring to USC, according to a Tuesday report from on3.

Robinson entered the spring portal when it opened last Monday. So far, he’s one of four scholarship players to leave the Nittany Lions during the spring window.

Cornerback Jon Mitchell landed at Georgia Tech while offensive lineman J.B. Nelson and defensive lineman Joseph Mupoyi have yet to settle on a new home.

USC is not on Penn State’s schedule in 2025. The Nittany Lions won an overtime thriller over the Trojans last fall.

Robinson’s departure from Penn State came as a bit of a surprise. The Pittsburgh native and Brashear product was vying for a spot in the linebacker rotation this spring. And while he might have ended up as the backup, there was a chance for him to start in 2025.

Robinson, a former four-star recruit in the 2023 class, redshirted as a freshman before appearing in 14 games as a second-year player in 2024. He logged 99 defensive snaps and 11 tackles, working in a reserve role. Robinson also contributed on special teams.

Robinson was expected to have more of a prominent role with middle linebacker Kobe King leaving for the 2025 NFL draft. Outside linebackers Tony Rojas and Dom DeLuca are back. But unless either of them moves to the middle, King’s spot in a base 4-3 was up for grabs.

Given the roster math, Penn State was expected to lose players to the transfer portal this spring.