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Penn State Football: biggest surprises from the first five games of the 2022 season

By Nick Kreiser

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball past of safety Zion Puckett #10 of the Auburn Tigers for a touchdown during the second half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the ball past of safety Zion Puckett #10 of the Auburn Tigers for a touchdown during the second half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Former Penn State Nittany Lions and current Pittsburgh Steelers NFL tight end Pat Freiermuth (L) speaks with tight end Brenton Strange #86 after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Former Penn State Nittany Lions and current Pittsburgh Steelers NFL tight end Pat Freiermuth (L) speaks with tight end Brenton Strange #86 after the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Brenton Strange looks like the best tight end in the Big Ten

Through five weeks, Brenton Strange leads all Big Ten tight ends in touchdown grabs and is fourth overall in the conference in that category. He also leads all Big Ten tight ends in receiving yards and is second in receptions.

Last year, Strange had career bests in both receiving yards (231) and touchdowns (3). Through just five games, he has already surpassed both of those marks and he is averaging 15.4 yards per reception, which is also his personal best.

Additionally, he had 20 receptions all of last season and already has 15 this time around.

Penn State’s tight end trio was thin to begin the season as Theo Johnson was sidelined with an injury, but Brenton Strange stepped up and carried the load.

I also don’t have any official stats on this, but I would venture to guess that Strange is closing in on Saquon Barkley’s single season record for attempted hurdles.

Along with being great in the pass-catching department, the Nittany Lions’ redshirt junior tight end has done a good job in run blocking too, which is something that the entire tight end room struggled with in 2021.

Through five weeks, Brenton Strange has been one of the most valuable members of this offense. Moving forward, they’ll need that to continue, as his performance can help take some pressure off the quarterbacks and also help the offense move the sticks and stay on the field. He’ll also be a valuable asset in the redzone, assuring the Nittany Lions find the endzone instead of settling for field goals.

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