Penn State senior Tyler Warren has validated preseason praise so far this fall, establishing himself among college football's finest tight ends. Coming out of the Nittany Lions' initial bye week, he acknowledged the significance of a recent recent record-setting performance but was more focused on positional development.
"Just looking to be the best tight end room is really how we approach it every week, and whatever comes with that will come with that," Warren said on Tuesday regarding his early-season success.
While Penn State's tight end group has dealt with uncertainty during the last month due to multiple injuries, Warren has been a mainstay of offensive plans. He ranks second behind only quarterback Drew Allar in cumulative snaps for skill players on that side of the ball, and his total (101) is nearly 70 more than any positional peer.
"He's very consistent, probably one of the most consistent guys on our team," Allar said last week. "Obviously he's a really big target, so that's nice. And he just finds ways to get open.Like he does a really good job of feeling zone versus man and those sorts of things.He's super crafty and savvy in that aspect of his game."
Last matchup, the6-foot-6, 261-pound Warren turned a career-high eight receptions into seven first downs and 146 receiving yards, setting a program record among tight ends. Considering he's shared the position room with three players who are currently competing inNFL action, the context of that accomplishment was not lost on him.
"Obviously it's very meaningful to have that title in a room that's had so many great tight ends," Warren said. "But, like I've always said, it really just comes with being the best tight end I can be, and making sure the offense is working as well as it can. That's kind of how it worked out that week. I was very honored to to be able to do something like that, but I was more happy we came out with that win in a tough game."
Allar attempted only 20 passes during a 34-27 victory over Bowling Green. Three were completed to receivers and no teammate had more than two catches.A 100-yard rushing tandemprovided balance but Warren's impact in the aerial attack was massive.
"When you talk to defensive coordinators all over the country, they're the (tight ends) that they hate," Penn State head coach James Franklin said of Warrenbefore season kickoff. "It's when they can't put them into a category — this guy kind of is the big slug that everybody knows is just a run blocker, or this guy won't crack an egg but is a threat as a wide receiver. Those guys are not that difficult to defend, because you can put them in one category or the other. The guys like Tyler, there's not many of them across the country that can do both, and they cause a lot of headaches."
Warren's standout play has been particularlycrucial due to absences at his position.
Redshirt junior Khalil Dinkins missed much of preseason camp, along with Game 1, while recovering from unspecified injury issues. He returnedversus Bowling Green to handle limited snaps and moved the chains with a third-down grab. His role is expected to expand moving ahead.
"He's a guy who has got a lot of experience playing college football," Warren said. "Not necessarily in abundance, but he has experience in games. Having another guy back who is older in the room and able to help us on the field is huge. And he can do a lot as a tight end, so just having him the offense is gonna be good and open up a few more things for us."
Redshirt freshman Andrew Rappleyea stepped up with Dinkins off the field, and generated buzz en route to his first career start in the season opener. However, he suffered an injury leading up to the Bowling Green game, arrived at Beaver Stadium on crutches and has been ruled out "long term".
This development results in an abrupt pause to the progress of someone genuinely regarded as a roster riser. Warren has been a mentor to Rappleyea since 2023 enrollment and is confident he'll bring the right mindset into his recovery process.
"One thing about Rapp is his love for the game and his desire to get better. It's very obvious to everybody he comes in contact with, so I'm not worried about him, and I know he's going to do it the right way," Warren said. "I'm just gonna be here for him and be his teammate and his friend still. I know he's gonna handle it the right way and do everything he needs to do to take care of his body and himself. So I'm excited for him to get on that journey, get himself better."
As a result of Rappleyea's situation, freshman tight end Luke Reynolds was further thrust into the spotlight, and Franklin confirmed Penn State plans to burn his redshirt. A five-starprospect in the 2024 recruiting class, he has quickly earned respect from the staff andteammates.
"His mental approach and his maturity that he's come in with at his young age is really impressive," Warren said. "I think that's kind of his biggest thing. He's a very good tight end already for a young guy, and keeps getting better. He can make plays in the pass game. He's got the ability and the mentality for the run game. So he's gonna do a lot for us this year. He's gonna be great down the road."
Reynolds handled a dozen snaps during his college debut at West Virginia, then started alongside Warren in Game 2. He saw 21 snaps that afternoon and, even with the re-emergence of Dinkins,will warrant offensive work on a weekly basis.
"He came in very far ahead of most tight ends I've seen come in as freshmen, including me," Warren said. "So really, I think the biggest thing now for his role is having to step into games like this at that young age without a lot of experience. (That) can be mentally hard on a young kid like that. (I'm) trying to help him stay level headed — not get too low or too too high on the good and the bad stuff. I think it's important for him."
Warren's dual responsibilitiesas an offensive playmaker and locker room leader make him one of the team's most valued players. Leading the Nittany Lionsin total receptions (11; six more than anyone else) and receiving yards (176), Warren is highly aware of Penn State's tight end standard, which he explained "keeps recycling down" as players depart for NFL opportunities.
"It's fun to be in that older role and help these young guys, because they'll be doing it for new guys pretty soon down the road," Warren said.
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