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The USC Trojans steer into GM Chad Bowden’s background with latest transfer portal pickup

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 5:17 PM ET

We have already seen the impact that general manager Chad Bowden has made on the USC program thus far. There has been a big boost in momentum on the recruiting trail, and the Trojans look poised to closely on an extremely high level in the 2026 recruiting class. We have also seen Bowden’s imprint on the transfer portal with various pickups, including former Notre Dame safety Kennedy Urlacher.

The Trojans pushing for Urlacher made a lot of sense. They obviously have needs for safety depth, and Bowden knows him very well. Not only was he around him for his freshman year, but Bowden also recruited Urlacher for years. That background and familiarity was important in the story,

USC also received a transfer commitment from former Penn State linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson this week. Robinson is fresh off of his redshirt freshman season for the Nittany Lions, and will have three years of eligibility remaining. The 6-3, 224-pound defender managed to collect 11 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack as a backup this past season.

BREAKING: Penn State transfer LB Ta’Mere Robinson has Committed to USC, he tells @on3sports

The 6’3 230 LB appeared in 14 games for the Nittany Lions in 2024

3 years of eligibility left https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/jsvpEadTO9
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 22, 2025

So what’s the relevance with Bowden? Robinson was actually a linebacker that Notre Dame liked quite a bit in the 2023 recruiting class. The Pittsburgh (Pa.) Brashear standout was high on the Irish staff’s list despite him coming off of a terrible knee injury during his junior season. They valued his length, athleticism, and versatility that Robinson brought to the table.

It was just a very deep and talented linebacker board, and Notre Dame put together a tremendous class. They ended up signing Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, and Preston Zinter in that class, and the Irish staff just had to make some tough decisions. They eventually cooled a bit on Robinson, and he wound up committing to Penn State.

That relationship, however, was clearly still there. From a talent perspective, there’s a lot to like about Robinson. Linebacker is a bit of an odd assortment of players for USC right now. You have Eric Gentry returning, although he has been dealing with concussion issues. Otherwise, it is an underwhelming group that needs some injection of talent.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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