Penn State tight end Tyler Warren was able to put a bow on his successful college career by winning the 2024 Mackey Award this week. The Mackey Award is given to the nation’s top tight end, and Warren is the first Penn State player to win it. While that is a bit surprising given the numerous quality tight ends that preceded him in Happy Valley, it’s a testament to Warren and what he brings to the offense, and the program overall. Warren, a do-it-all Swiss Army Knife of the Penn State offense, will lead them against SMU.
Warren Gets a Curtain Call in Beaver Stadium
Warren has been doing just about everything on offense. As a tight end, he excelled in pass catching, as well as yards after the catch. Another big part of the position is blocking, which Warren has provided for a quality running back tandem in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. In addition to his tight end responsibilities, Warren has rushed the ball this season. For good measure, he’s even thrown some passes. Creative offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, in his first season with Penn State, took advantage of Warren’s skillsets at every turn.
While Warren’s time with Penn State is winding down, he’ll have one more time to take the field in front of Nittany Nation. Beaver Stadium will host its first playoff game on December 21st against SMU. A playoff White Out seems like the perfect culmination of an all-time Penn State legend’s career.
All-Time Season from an All-Time Tight End
Warren has carried the Penn State offense through the season. As a senior, Warren gets one more chance to play in front of Nittany Nation against SMU. A home playoff game is a fitting end to his Penn State career. Warren is the latest in a long line of successful tight ends for Penn State and a main driver of the push from Linebacker U to Tight End U.
Warren has also set numerous records this season. Some of those include the Big Ten records for most career receiving yards by a tight end, and most catches by a tight end. In addition, he holds the Big Ten single-season mark for receiving yards by a tight end. Warren also holds the Penn State record for most career receptions by a tight end, and most receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Warren was named the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year for his conference efforts.
Heading into the College Football Playoff, Warren has put up jaw-dropping statistics. About 35% of Penn State’s completions this season have gone to Warren, and his 88 catches are far and away the most on the team (Harrison Wallace is second with 39). Additionally, Warren has produced 1,062 receiving yards. This is ahead of Wallace for the team lead by over 400 yards. Warren also leads the team with six receiving touchdowns. For good measure, Warren is fifth on the team with 191 rushing yards, and his four rushing touchdowns are tied for third on the team. On the passing front, Warren has completed three of five passes, for 35 yards and a touchdown (with no interceptions). Contrary to the old saying, Warren is a jack of all trades and a master of at least one.
Tyler Warren Wins the Mackey Award, the Right Way
Warren is a deserving winner of the John Mackey Award, which goes to the top tight end in college football. Head coach James Franklin openly campaigned for Warren to get that award. Additionally, Franklin called for Warren to get Heisman Trophy consideration. While he will not win that award, Warren himself has not openly campaigned for it either. This is in stark contrast to others, such as teammate Abdul Carter. The defensive end is the team’s most talented player on the defensive side of the ball. After a sack in the win against Maryland, Carter struck the Heisman pose. Warren should not be expected to do that. His play does the talking for him. Again, he leads the right way.
The best game that tells the story for Warren is the win over USC earlier this season. In that matchup, Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. The 224 yards set a Big Ten and Penn State tight end record. His 17 receptions set the Penn State single-game mark. It also tied the FBS and Big Ten records.
Warren, Penn State’s Swiss Army Knife, Will Lead Them Against SMU
The game against SMU in CFP Round One will be a first and a last for Warren. It will be the first playoff game for Warren and the Penn State team. The matchup will be tough against the ACC runner-up SMU Mustangs. Warren will be a key piece of the game plan for Penn State, as he always is. His performance will be a critical determinant of how far Penn State goes in the playoffs.
At the same time, it is the last time Warren will take the field in Happy Valley. After the emotions of Senior Day and the win over Maryland, he will get to experience walking out of the tunnel at Penn State one more time. The White Out sendoff for the record-setting Mackey Award winner is the perfect environment.
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