Warren’s emergence establishes standard for TEs
When Tyler Warren announced after last year’s Peach Bowl that he’d be returning for the 2024 season, it was good news and an important piece for the Nittany Lions’ offense.
But no one could have anticipated that Warren would become a record-setting, generational player at the tight end position who would be in the Heisman Trophy conversation (he finished seventh) throughout the season.
Warren made 34 catches last year while splitting opportunities with future NFL draft pick Theo Johnson.
This season, he made 92 catches for 1095 yards — both PSU season records for a tight end — and boosted his career touchdowns total to 22, also a record for a Penn State tight end.
I could go on about Warren’s numbers and, granted, today’s records are bloated compared to previous eras when teams played fewer games. Bowl statistics didn’t even count until 2002.
But one of the other stats worth mentioning is the fact that Warren is bearing down on the record for Penn State season receptions currently held by Allen Robinson at 97 (set in 2013).
Robinson, of course, was a wide receiver. In fact, the next closest tight end on the season-reception chart is Mike Gesicki, whose 57 catches in 2017 ranks 10th.
Not only is Warren an outstanding target, but he’s been the focal point of the offense that includes an emerging top quarterback in Drew Allar and standout running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Warren has rushed for six touchdowns and also thrown for one.
No one will forget Warren’s 17-catch, 224-yard performance at Southern Cal, where he snapped the ball to Beau Pribula, who threw to Allar, who threw a pass into the end zone that Warren wrestled from a USC defender.
It was one of the season’s signature plays.
The tight-end position has become one of Penn State’s best under James Franklin’s watch as Warren has joined the likes of Johnson, Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth and Brenton Strange.
Credit to first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki on exploiting Warren’s talents.
In addition, Warren’s quiet humility set a standard for all upperclassmen in this me-first era.
Many of us expected a solid season from Tyler Warren, but the fact that he put his name alongside Penn State’s best-ever at the position — Ted Kwalick and Kyle Brady — was a pleasant surprise.
And a big reason Penn State is one win away from a berth in the CFP semifinals.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.