Could Tyler Warren go down as the greatest tight end in Penn State history with big 2024?
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Heading into the 2024 season, Tyler Warren is atop the depth chart among a very crowded, talented group at tight end for Penn State. Warren had a very solid 2023 campaign, recording 34 receptions for 422 yards and registering 7 touchdowns. This was all done while sharing starting duties with Theo Johnson, who went on to be drafted in the 4th round this year by the New York Giants.
Now, without Johnson taking targets, Warren is hoping to have another big season, and Penn State strength coach Chuck Losey told SI he believes Warren has a shot to go down as one of the best they ever had at that position.
"I think he's got he's got a shot to go down as one of the best that we've had at the position. I really do," further elaborating, "I believe that. I've thought that for a long time."
At first glance, some may say that's a bold statement, but for context, Warren has 11 career touchdown receptions, which is only four shy of Mike Gesicki's career mark of 15 during his stint at Penn State and five behind Pat Freiermuth's career total of 16 while playing for the Nittany Lions. Warren also has a career total of 606 receiving yards. Which is only 579 behind Freiermuth's career total of 1,185 and just 875 yards shy of Gesicki's total of 1,481.
Gesicki holds the all-time record for a tight end in the program's history. Warren has a good chance to end up in the 1,000 career receiving yards club for tight ends with both Freiermuth and Gesicki and in the process would best Kyle Brady's career total of 940 yards.
When asked about his own decision to forego the 2024 NFL draft, Warren proudly proclaimed "I'm a Penn State guy. This family means a lot to me, and I felt like there was still more to do here. That's where I wanted to be ultimately." Warren's commitment to Penn State is a big boost for the Nittany Lions offense that has question marks surrounding its receiving corps.
Quarterback Drew Allar relied heavily on Warren during the team's loss in the Peach Bowl to Ole Miss by targeting him 9 times with 5 completions going for 127 yards. If Allar finds himself in trouble getting in sync with any of his receivers, Warren will likely be leaned on to supplement the receiving game.
During the Peach Bowl game, Warren had the longest catch of his career. He was able to bail out quarterback Drew Allar after the defense forced a broken play.
Tyler Warren with a crazy play!
— Play-Pennsylvania (@PlayPennBetting) December 30, 2023
Penn State (-5.5) ties the game up at 10 in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
pic.twitter.com/Ppij8U5ka6
Warren has also established himself as a real threat in the red-zone for the Nittany Lions. Warren's seven touchdowns came when Penn State was within it.
Drew Allar finds Tyler Warren for his third passing touchdown of the half
— Micheal Bolger (@MichealBolger) November 4, 2023
Penn State leads 21-7 with two minutes remaining before halftime
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With Warren's production in previous seasons, and veteran presence, the Penn State tight end could potentially looking at not only a career year, but one that could truly cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats for the program.
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