Penn State Tight End Roundup: Bumps and Bruises, Yellow Light, ‘Most Complete TE in the Country’
Penn State is days away from kicking off the 2024 season against West Virginia Mountaineers.
On Wednesday, the media got a final look at the 2024 Nittany Lions squad ahead of this week’s much-anticipated matchup.
After last year’s 38-15 win, Penn State has replaced three coordinators this offseason, with much anticipation over what the offense will look like after a disappointing end to offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s tenure in Happy Valley.
Now under the tutelage of Andy Kotelnicki, Penn State’s offense is revamped and reloaded after a few transfer portal and NFL draft exits.
Tight end is one of the most talented (but largely unproven behind returning starter Tyler Warren) returning positions on the offense, despite losing Theo Johnson to the NFL draft this offseason.
Here is an update on the tight end position heading into Penn State vs. West Virginia
The Starter: Tyler Warren
It’s no surprise that Tyler Warren is the clear starter on this 2024 Penn State offense after Warren accumulated 34 passes for 422 yards and a team leading seven touchdowns in 2023. After practice Wednesday, Penn State head coach James Franklin said he believes Warren is the “most complete tight end in the country.”
James Franklin said he believes Penn State’s Tyler Warren is the “most complete tight end in the country.”
With Khalil Dinkins seemingly hurt, Franklin noted that Andrew Rappleyea and Luke Reynolds are likely to play at West Virginia pic.twitter.com/4j8gotPqfc
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) August 28, 2024
Warren is highly regarded on the team for his catching ability but also as a key blocker in the running game for Penn State. Penn State has also used Warren on different gadget plays during his tenure in Happy Valley, rushing for two touchdowns in 2021.
Heading into 2024, Warren is tied for fourth all-time among Penn State tight ends with 11 receiving touchdowns.
TE1 Tyler Warren catching a pass from QB1 Drew Allar pic.twitter.com/xdij4R0uWS
— Lexie Linderman (@lexieleigh28) August 28, 2024
Bumps and Bruises: Khalil Dinkins
James Franklin announced two weeks ago that tight end Khalil Dinkins was dealing with “bumps and bruises” that led to him missing some time during fall camp.
Dinkins was expected to be tight end two behind Tyler Warren to start the season but the injury has thrown his availability into question. Dinkins was not seen at practice Wednesday night putting a question mark on his availability for Saturday’s game in Morgantown.
Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins was not present at today’s practice viewing session. James Franklin said two weeks ago that Dinkins has had some “bumps and bruises” and “missed some time.”
— Seth Engle (@bigsengtweets) August 28, 2024
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Penn State Redshirt Freshman Andrew Rappleyea
Redshirt freshman Andrew Rappleyea appeared in three games as a true freshman in 2023 but did not record any stats.
Now as a redshirt freshman, Rappleyea is expected to compete with Khalil Dinkins and Luke Reynolds (and potentially Joey Schlaffer or Jerry Cross) for tight end two duties behind Warren.
Penn State plays plenty of two tight end sets, so whoever fills this position will could get plenty of targets. Both Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren caught 34 passes last season and seven touchdowns. Not to mention, with Warren leaving Penn State after this year, whoever ends up at tight end two will have a leg up on next year’s starting position.
Franklin mentioned after practice Wednesday that “you’ll see a ton” of Rappleyea on Saturday against West Virginia.
Yellow Light: Luke Reynolds
Despite only being on campus since January, former five-star tight end Luke Reynolds has turned heads in Happy Valley.
Two weeks ago, James Franklin announced that Reynolds would play in “at least” four games this season, with any more playing time being determined by his play this fall.
Now, ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Mountaineers, Franklin announced Wednesday that Saturday’s game will be Reynolds college debut. In answering a question on Penn State’s tight ends, Franklin noted that Penn State fans will see “a decent amount” of true freshman Luke Reynolds this Saturday with Khalil Dinkins availability in question.
How Reynolds handles this early playing time could go a long way to determining whether his yellow light will turn into a green light this season or whether he will be stored away for a redshirt season after four games this fall.
Franklin said you’ll see “a ton” of redshirt freshman tight end Andrew Rappleyea and a “decent amount” of freshman Luke Reynolds.
Khalil Dinkins was not spotted at today’s open practice.
— Alex Rocco (@AlexRocco13_) August 28, 2024
Ty Howle has put together one of the best rooms on the Penn State roster with the tight end room reloaded with talent after Theo Johnson’s departure this offseason. The self-described “Aces” will give new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki plenty of talent to work with as the Nittany Lions open the season Saturday in Morgantown.
As the season progresses, we will see if one player emerges in the lead for the tight end two role, or whether multiple players will share targets behind Tyler Warren this season.
MORE: Predictions, Playoff Outlook for Nittany Lions in 2024
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