An annual tradition, the 2024 Heisman Trophy will be handed out this Saturday in New York City. However, Saturday’s award ceremony will not include Penn State football star tight end Tyler Warren, who was not named as a finalist.
Announced on Monday evening, Warren did not place among the top four vote-getters in the Heisman ballot, which is required to earn an invitation to the trophy ceremony. Instead, the Heisman Trophy Trust will welcome Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and Miami’s Cam Ward to the Big Apple.
“I think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football,” James Franklin said of his star tight end in November. “I don’t think it’s a question. And that’s all those types of awards, including the Heisman, yes, sir.”
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While coming up short on Monday, there has otherwise been no shortage to Warren’s accomplishments during his senior campaign. He is already a finalist for the Mackey and Paul Hornung Awards and a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Warren has earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was recently named the conference’s Tight End of the Year.
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With seven receptions for 84 yards against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, Warren surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the year. He now has 88 catches for 1,062 receiving yards and six touchdowns, 23 carries for 191 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and 35 passing yards with one touchdown on the season.
“Did I anticipate or did I predict us using him in this way? Yes. [Did I think he’d have] this level of success? No, I don’t know if I would necessarily say that,” Franklin continued. “I thought he’d have a good year. I think he’s having one of the more special years that I can remember in my 30 years, specifically at that position.
“And again, I think he’s gotten to the point where this conversation exceeds just the position.”
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