Tyler Warren can be “one of the best that we’ve had” at TE, says Penn State football strength coach

This fall, Tyler Warren has the opportunity to cement his legacy among the top tight ends in Penn State football history, says Nittany Lions strength coach Chuck Losey.

Sharing reps with Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson for the last four seasons, 2024 is Warren’s time to step into the spotlight. Speaking before the annual Lift for Life event on Thursday, Losey explained that the added attention hasn’t fazed the senior tight end.

“I think he’s got a shot to go down as one of the best that we’ve had at that position. I really do,” Losey said. “I believe that. I’ve thought that for a long time. I know it’s always been kind of a split share between talking about Theo and him throughout the past few years. But that’s what excites me most about Tyler this year is he’s the guy going in that everybody is talking about.

“But he’s also the guy and the personality that pays absolutely no mind to that. Like he doesn’t hear it. And that’s what I love about him. He’s the same dude when he comes in, and I think that he’s going to be off the charts this year.”

Already near the top of the Penn State football record books

Truth is, Tyler Warren doesn’t have much further to climb to prove Chuck Losey right. Warren is already among the most productive tight ends in Penn State football history.

Going into the season, the Mechanicsville, Virginia, native is tied for 18th all-time in Nittany Lions history with 11 career touchdown receptions, which also puts him in a tie for fourth most among tight ends. Warren would need to catch six touchdown passes this fall to surpass the program mark for the position set by Pat Freiermuth.

With 606 career receiving yards, Warren sits 875 away from the 1,481-yard record held by Mike Gesicki. Even a modest year would pull Warren closer to Freiermuth and Andrew Quarless, who are second and third on the list, respectively, each with slightly over 1,100 yards receiving.

Chuck Losey: Warren is “unbelievably consistent”

Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

More important to the Nittany Lions’ on-field success, Tyler Warren is the most proven pass catcher returning from last year’s roster. As a result, the senior tight end may need to bear the weight of the Penn State passing attack early in 2024 while James Franklin and Andy Kotelnicki figure out the situation at wide receiver.

We caught a glimpse of what this could look like in December’s Peach Bowl, where Warren posted 127 yards, a Penn State bowl record for tight ends.

Ultimately, Warren can thrive as a potential primary target because it’s a situation that demands consistency. And consistency is one of the tight end’s greatest attributes, according to Chuck Losey.

“Every coach has got personal preferences in the personalities that they adapt to,” Losey said. “Tyler I’ve always been drawn to because I love those guys who they come in; they take care of their business; they do everything they need to take care of their bodies. You don’t necessarily hear them all the time, but you do feel them, and you feel their presence.

“And I’ve told you guys, consistency is one of the biggest qualities that I value. Of all these guys, he’s unbelievably consistent. I’m just drawn to that. I like guys like that. You go about your business that way every day.”

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