Tyler Warren front and center in Penn State's playoff push

James Franklin has consistently called Tyler Warren the best tight end in college football and also one of the top all-around players in the game. Following a commanding 49-10 victory over Purdue, Franklin took it a step further. 

“I think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football,” Franklin said. “I don’t think it’s a question, and that goes for all types of awards, including the Heisman.”

Warren’s performance against Purdue showcased his talent and versatility. He led the Nittany Lions with 127 receiving yards and a touchdown while also being the team's leading rusher amassing 63 yards on just three carries. 

48 of his 63 yards came on a third-quarter score where he took the snap in the wildcat formation and sprinted untouched into the end zone. 

“I’m just trying to do my job,” Warren said. “We talk about it all the time—when you have the ball in your hands, you’re supposed to be a threat to score. We’re trying to score the ball every time we touch it, so it’s just me doing my job.” 

Through ten games, the Mechanicsville, Virginia, native has recorded 67 receptions for 808 yards and five touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories.

With the absence of Cam Wallace due to injury, Warren has also taken on additional rushing responsibilities, with 16 carries for 157 yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, he has completed two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his all-around contributions to the Nittany Lion offense.

Warren’s teammates recognize the chaos he creates for opposing defenses. 

“When we shift and do all those motions to get Tyler in the backfield, you can hear them audibly freaking out a little bit, which is kind of cool, because they're panicking and we're getting ready to go, and then kind of catch them on their heels a little bit,” offensive tackle Drew Shelton said. “It's huge for our offense, just to be able to get him to do those things, provide some diversity.”

Quarterback Drew Allar knows the stress Warren causes for the opposition, saying teams “can’t key in on him,” and the impact he has on Penn State’s offense is “second to none.”

On Saturday, he caught every pass thrown his way with five receptions going for first downs. He touched the ball 11 times in his 37 snaps, a season low despite tallying 190 total yards. 

“I think you see it on an everyday basis or every game basis, like the way he impacts our game and our game plan offensively like it's second to none,” Allar said. “He's the most complete tight end in all of America, and he's the best tight end in all of America … I don't know if there's really ever been a season like this before, the amount of rushing yards he has, receiving yards he has, and also passing yards. So it's pretty cool to be a part of a team like this and have a guy like that on the team as well.”

Planning around Warren’s unique abilities for months with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, the Nittany Lions have displayed his versatility all campaign long. His ability to throw passes, block and take direct snaps as well as his talent as a runner and receiver has created an impossible-to-defend package.

“There are some quarterbacks that haven't taken a snap under center, let alone a tight end, so all these little things you can do with him, it is a headache,” Franklin said. “I think he's having one of the more special years that I can remember in my 30 years, specifically at that position, and again, I think he's gotten to the point where this conversation exceeds just the position.”

Warren has transcended Penn State’s offense, and his play has hid some of its major flaws. Despite scoring 49 points, the blue and white’s wide receivers had just three catches for 56 yards on Saturday. Tre Wallace found himself wide open deep down the field for a 46-yard touchdown, largely due to the safety attempting to cover an open Warren over the middle of the field. 

Warren’s talent and versatility have placed him front and center in Penn State’s push to make the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff this year. 

“He doesn't like being in the spotlight a lot, but he's gonna do whatever to put the team in the best position to win, and if that's him blocking every play, he'll do that, and if that's him throwing the ball, he'll do that. If that's him running the ball, he'll do that. If that's him catching the ball on the passing game, he'll do that,” Allar said. “I don't think you've seen a tight end have an overall impact on an offense like he's had this year. I think it's just a really special year that he's having. I would absolutely endorse Tyler Warren for Heisman in 2024.”

Alex Rocco is a graduate student pursuing a master's in strategic communications. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.