Brashear’s Robinson an ‘LB1’
In the eyes of college coaches — ones at Ohio State, Notre Dame, Pitt and Penn State included — Ta’Mere Robinson very well might be “LB1,” as in he could be their No. 1 recruiting target at linebacker in the class of 2023.
With his junior season at Brashear now a week away, Robinson has picked up a designation he has never had, and that goes all the way back to when he got his start in football as a 4-year-old playing for the Homewood Bulldawgs.
For the first time, Robinson — all 6 feet 3, 225 pounds of him — is “QB1.”
“Knowing I can lead the offense and have all the responsibilities offensively calling the plays, it’s great,” Robinson said.
As first-year coach Drew Moore sees it, the position switch from wide receiver to quarterback actually has more to do with Robinson’s mind than it does his body. In addition to being a star on the field, Robinson is also a star in the classroom. Robinson, who said he one day might want to become a teacher, boasts a 3.6 GPA
“The biggest thing for even considering the switch is his mental approach to the game,” Moore said. “He’s a student of the game. As a coaching staff, we can trust him with the ball in his hands every play to make the right decisions.”
Ryan Day. Brian Kelly. Pat Narduzzi. James Franklin. They have all made the decision to offer a scholarship to Robinson, who is ranked by Rivals as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania, No. 59 player in the country, and No. 6 outside linebacker in the nation.
There are many other fantastic players in the City League and WPIAL, but to Moore, Robinson is the very best.
“Overall in my mind he’s No. 1,” Moore said. “I’ve worked with a lot of the other top guys and I’m huge fans of them. But right now, Ta’Mere is going to make a major impact for our program offensively and defensively. And defensively, nobody can do what he can do defensively.”
It’s Robinson’s combination of size, power and speed that sets him apart from most of his peers. He was an all-City League selection as a defensive back his sophomore season. A year later, he’ll likely see time at both linebacker and safety. Robinson is faster and more powerful than he was last season, and also bigger. Try 20 pounds bigger.
“Coaches were telling me I could become a linebacker, so I had to get bigger. I just started eating a lot and lifting a lot after the season,” said Robinson, who lives on the South Side Slopes.
So, Robinson beefed up by eating a lot of beef. His mom’s hamburgers did the trick. Robinson’s go-to burger fixings? Cheese, ketchup and mayo.
Moore said that while Robinson added significant bulk and muscle, he did it without losing any of his explosiveness. Robinson works out regularly with renowned trainer DeWayne Brown of 2/ 10ths Speed & Agility.
“He’s a lot further along as his body continues to develop he’s able to do even more,” said Moore. “He has a reputation for being a rangy guy, being able to cover a lot of ground and being physical. And now his body is becoming more mature.”
A few weeks ago, a tweet featuring a picture of a shirtless Robinson posing with Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington during an unofficial visit to the school made its rounds. Among the responses was “I refuse to believe this man is a high schooler.”
Robinson’s size, combined with his special collection of skills, has attracted the attention of coaches from some of the country’s top programs.
“He’s going to be able to run with tight ends man to man and he’s going to be physical enough to make an impact in the box in the run game,” Moore said. “He’s shown the ability to rush the passer. To be honest, it’s a very unique skill set.”
Moore said he has heard a couple of NFL player comparisons from college coaches. According to Moore, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables has compared Robinson to Isaiah Simmons, while Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald likens him to C.J. Mosley.
It likely won’t be until at least next summer before Robinson picks a college, but as of right now he said six stand out. They are Notre Dame, Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State, West Virginia and Michigan. All of those schools have offered. When asked what school that hasn’t offered he hopes does, Robinson quickly said Clemson. Robinson said he stays in contact with Clemson coaches and hopes to take an unofficial visit there this fall. He visited Alabama this summer.
Winning a City League championship is at the top of Robinson’s wishlist right now. After going just 1-7 in 2019, Brashear improved to 2-4 last season. The majority of the team’s starters return, among them two other players with FBS offers — senior Kevin Smith (Toledo) and fellow junior Kam Cheatom ( Akron, Kent State and Toledo).
“I love this team,” Robinson said. “I have high expectations. This is the tightest our team has ever been.”
Robinson will be given the keys to the offense, which is where Brashear is looking to improve the most. The Bulls managed to score only 51 points a season ago.
This might be Robinson’s first time as a quarterback, but he’s got a big arm. He said he can throw the ball more than 50 yards.
“There aren’t any major limitations to what he can do in the passing game, as far as arm strength,” said Moore. “He can make every throw that your typical high school quarterback can make. But it’s not like we’re expecting him to be the second coming of Dan Marino.”
So, should high school fantasy football owners be lining up to draft the area’s newest dual-threat quarterback early in their drafts?
“Let me get back to you in a week or two,” Robinson said, laughing.
Regardless, look for this rare talent to continue to make a large impact in many different ways.
“He’s the epitome of being an impact guy,” Moore said. “You rarely see a kid at his age with his stature and physical ability. He’s rare in that department. And then his mentality off of the field and who he is as a person, he’s also rare in that category.”