Former top TE recruit shows progress off season-ending injury

This fall, Penn State football will have to replace a large part of its offensive production from the 2024 season with do-it-all tight end Tyler Warren off to the Indianapolis Colts. Fortunately for James Franklin, the Nittany Lions tight end room is filled with plenty of eligible candidates to replace the Mackey Award winner. 

In 2024, we were prepared for our first prolonged look at former four-star prospect Andrew Rappleyea. However, Rappleyea’s redshirt freshman campaign was cut painfully short after he suffered a season-ending leg injury following the 2024 opener at West Virginia. 

Now nine months removed from his injury, the redshirt sophomore tight end appears to be well on his way to recovery. On Sunday, Rappleyea posted a video on social media showcasing his route-running skills at full speed.

pic.twitter.com/wqHkH2kqJW

— Andrew Rappleyea (@andrewrappleyea) June 1, 2025

Although not sustaining any contact, the workout video is a positive sign for Rappleyea, who was still unavailable during spring practice. Despite only appearing in four games so far in his Penn State football career, expectations are high for the former No. 2 tight end recruit in the class of 2023. 

In addition to Rappleyea, Penn State football will also look to former five-star prospect Luke Reynolds to fill Warren’s shoes in the long term. As a true freshman, Reynolds caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Nittany Lions also return redshirt senior Khalil Dinkins, who has 23 receptions, 232 yards, and five scores in his career.

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