James Franklin says this Penn State football freshman linebacker is ‘super talented’

The Penn State football team is slated to start Big Ten play this weekend against Illinois. The conference is known for its hardnose and sometimes grueling schedule with some of the most physical teams in the country. That’s why the linebacker position is so important—both the starters and the depth behind them. Ta’Mere Robinson is one of those key depth pieces for the Nittany Lions. On Monday, James Franklin shared how talented Robinson is.

Three tackles and one tackle for loss was the stat line from Ta’Mere Robinson against Kent State, where Penn State football dominated only allowing 67 total yards of offense for the entire game. On Monday when speaking to the media, James Franklin explained how impressed he was with the redshirt freshman.

“Ta’Mere’s a guy that we’ve been excited about since we recruited him,” Franklin said Monday afternoon. “He had some bumps and bruises where he lost some time, which would’ve been valuable for him and for us. I think that’s going to be really important for us to continue to move forward is his durability. And his ability to get in the game and play well.

“Same thing for practice, he just needs the reps. He’s super talented but he just needs the reps and the time from a development standpoint.”

Robinson was a big get for Franklin and his coaching staff in the 2023 recruiting class. Robinson a Pittsburgh native was a four-star prospect and listed as the No. 3 player in Pennsylvania in his cycle. He appeared in three games last season and looks to expand his role in 2024.

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Robinson stood out to Tom Allen in the Spring

While the new coordinators were just adjusting to life at Penn State. It didn’t take Tom Allen long to recognize Ta’Mere Robinson as a standout player. This past April, Allen showered Robinson with praise.

“He’s one that’s flashed,” new defensive coordinator Tom Allen said when discussing Ta’Mere Robinson during spring practice. “As a matter of fact, even today, I thought he stuck out. He’s making plays, especially when he runs the alley. I think his confidence is growing each day in our system and learning the things that we’re doing that are different.

“To me, it’s his ability to track the ball, strike, and finish. He’s got long levers, and he can run, and that’s a great quality.”

As depth is an important piece for the Nittany Lions this fall, Robinson appears to be trending in the right direction.

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