Penn State Looking for Tyler 2.0

After a very successful 2024 season, Penn State football is at an inflection point.  There has been a lot of coverage of players leaving, players staying, and the coaching carousel.  Perhaps the most impact change heading into next season will be replacing star tight end Tyler Warren.  Not surprisingly, Penn State is looking for Tyler 2.0.

Penn State Looking for Tyler 2.0

Finding such a star will be difficult if not impossible.  Head coach James Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, and the offensive leaders who did stick around will need to compensate.  Jim Knowles recently joined the staff as defensive coordinator, and the defense appears to be one of the best in the Big Ten and arguably the nation.  However, the determining factor for how far this team goes next season will be the offense’s ability to replace Warren’s production.

A Look Back at Warren’s Historic Season

Warren had an all-time great season in 2024 for Penn State.  He earned the Mackey Award presented to college football’s most outstanding tight end.  The Mackey Award was a fitting end to a season and career that made Warren a Penn State legend.  Warren was also named a first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and was the Big Ten Tight End of the Year.  He caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns last season.  Warren finished seventh in voting for the Heisman.

What helped set Warren apart was his versatility.  In addition to the strong receiving stats, he did other things on the field that are never expected from a tight end.  Warren rushed 26 times, gaining 218 yards with four rushing touchdowns.  For good measure, he also completed three of six passes with a touchdown from the quarterback position.  Warren had more than double the number of catches of any teammate and was fifth in rushing yards.

Warren was a security blanket for quarterback Drew Allar and the offense.  When the going got tough, Warren got going.  A career-defining game for him was the win against USC.  In that contest, Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards with a touchdown.  He also ran once for four yards and completed his only pass attempt for nine yards.  Throughout the year, he lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat, running the ball or even throwing it.  He made big catches and was a solid blocker.  It was easily an all-time season for Warren.

Penn State Looking for Tyler 2.0: Next Man/Men Up

Warren was the latest in a line of quality tight ends from Penn State.  A testament to the quality tutelage of tight ends coach Ty Howle, the last few starting tight ends have continued to “one-up” the prior starter.  Recently, Brenton Strange built the foundation for Theo Johnson.  Johnson passed the torch to Warren.  The bar is now extremely high, and it will be difficult to top, or even get close to, Warren’s production.

Two players on the roster will have opportunities at tight end.  First is Khalil Dinkins.  Dinkins just completed his redshirt junior season.  He caught 14 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.  That ranked Dinkins eighth on the team in both receptions and receiving yards.  In addition to Dinkins, Luke Reynolds should get a long look at the position.  He just completed his freshman season, catching nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.  Those stats ranked him just below Dinkins.

It is difficult to imagine one player replacing all of Warren’s production.  Both Dinkins and Reynolds gained valuable experience this season.  They were also able to learn from one of the best.  They will both take the torch and look to build on the Tight End U reputation that Howle has built.

Penn State Looking for Tyler 2.0: Beyond the Tight Ends

In addition to the tight ends, replacing Warren’s production must be a team effort.  Penn State boasts one of the strongest running back rooms in the nation, led by Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.  In addition to running the ball, they must catch it out of the backfield.  Singleton has shown a penchant for this already and was third on the team in 2024 with 41 receptions.  He was tied for second on the team with five receiving touchdowns.

The wide receiver position was the most disappointing group on the team in 2024 and is going through a lot of change.  Gone are the top-producing receivers, Trey Wallace (transfer to Ole Miss), and Omari Evans (transfer to Washington).  Kyron Hudson (transfer from USC) and Devonte Ross (transfer from Troy) are coming in.  If the receivers can extend the field and produce decent numbers, it will take the pressure off the tight ends to catch as many passes.  Alternatively, it could divert attention and open up more opportunities for the tight ends to get open.