Penn State Football: ranking the best offensive players of the James Franklin era
By Nick Kreiser
3. Pat Freiermuth (tight end, 2018-2020)
This one might come as a surprise to a lot of fans, many might even believe he’s not even the best tight end of the Franklin era.
However, Pat Freiermuth holds the school record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with 16, which is one better than Mike Gesicki. Plus, Gesicki hauled in his 15 touchdowns in 45 career games, whereas Pat did him one better in just 29 career games.
On top of that, Freiermuth was also a better blocker than Gesicki was.
The current Pittsburgh Steeler was also a two-time all-conference selection, including in 2020 when he missed half the season with an injury but was still voted first team All-Big Ten by the coaches.
Had he been healthy for that entire season, his career numbers would have been even more impressive than they already were.
Pat Freiermuth caught 92 passes for 1,185 yards and 16 touchdowns in his brief Penn State Football career, and went on to become a second round draft pick, quietly making him one of the best offensive players to come through Happy Valley in nearly a decade.
