USC Gamecocks Football

Jammie Robinson, thriving at FSU, looks back on South Carolina transfer decision

Defensive back Jammie Robinson made a “business decision” in transferring out of the South Carolina football program after coach Will Muschamp’s 2020 firing.

But that didn’t damage his relationships with former Gamecock teammates, Robinson said Wednesday while representing Florida State at the ACC Kickoff media event.

“Me transferring, that didn’t make me lose any friends,” Robinson said. “It was just a business decision. I made it, and the guys that understand, those are really the only guys I mess with.”

Robinson added he’d originally planned to catch up with Jaycee Horn, a former USC teammate and current Carolina Panthers cornerback, during his trip to Charlotte.

“But he didn’t hit me back,” Robinson said with a laugh.

Robinson’s transfer to Florida State has proven a fruitful transition. In 2021, he appeared in all 12 of the Seminoles’ games and started 11 while recording a team-high 85 tackles and four interceptions.

He also recorded 7.0 tackles for loss, broke up three passes and forced two fumbles while earning 2021 first-team All-ACC honors.

Robinson considers himself a “student of the game” and credited Muschamp and former South Carolina defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson as key figures in his development as he enters his fourth season of college football.

“Coach T Rob and Coach Muschamp, those guys are wizards when it comes to football,” Robinson said. “They’re going to get on that board, write it down and show you what it is.”

Robinson arrived in Columbia as a three-star 2019 recruit and the No. 32 player at his position, per 247Sports composite rankings but made an immediate impact.

His 62 tackles in 2019 were the most by a USC freshman since 1994, and he also picked off a pass and broke up four more en route to freshman All-SEC honors.

Robinson was even more efficient as a sophomore with 74 tackles and a pick as a 2020 starter at safety/nickel.

He ultimately appeared in 22 games (13 starts) over two seasons at South Carolina before entering the transfer portal in December 2020 amid USC’s transition from Muschamp to coach Shane Beamer.

Robinson committed to Florida State in January 2021 and is now entering his second season with the program. He’s been named to multiple preseason 2022 All-America and All-ACC lists, per FSU.

“Coming here, it’s being a student of the game but also finding the blueprint from Coach (Mike) Norvell,” Robinson said. “Whatever they need me to do, I’m just here to do it.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 2:19 PM.

Chapel Fowler
The State
Chapel Fowler, the NSMA’s 2024 South Carolina Sportswriter of the Year, has covered Clemson football and other topics for The State since summer 2022. His work’s also been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the South Carolina Press Association and the North Carolina Press Association. He’s a Denver, N.C., native, a UNC-Chapel Hill alum and a pickup basketball enthusiast. Support my work with a digital subscription
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