Many feel that Penn State TE Tyler Warren deserves to be looked at for College Footballโs top honor, and coach James Franklin is among them.
Penn State improved to 9-1 Saturday by walloping Purdue 49-10 in West Lafayette.
The teamโs best playerโ as had been the case all seasonโ was Warren.
He ended the day with almost 200 yards of total offense (127 receiving, 63 rushing), along with touchdowns of both the receiving and rushing variety.
TYLER WARREN IS GOOD. He is going OFF for @PennStateFball. pic.twitter.com/5J9ZYZ9pBs
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 16, 2024
TYLER WARREN TO THE HOUSE. pic.twitter.com/M6dXjxcF7y
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 16, 2024
This performance inspired some to take to social media and endorse No. 44 for the Heisman. Thatโs an award no tight end has won since 1949, when Notre Dameโs Leon Hart accomplished that feat.
In a weird year where no quarterback really has stood out as a Heisman favorite, Tyler Warren ABSOLUTELY deserves an invite to New York
— Connor Griffin (@RealCGriff) November 16, 2024
In his postgame press conference, Franklin was asked if Warren deserved Heisman consideration.
WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
โI think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football. โฆ That’s all those types of awards, including the Heisman.โ
Should Penn State tight end Tyler Warren be in the Heisman conversation?
James Franklin: โI think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football. โฆ That's all those types of awards, including the Heisman.โ pic.twitter.com/rWTDURz9Yh
— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 17, 2024
In the past week, Franklin has endorsed Warren for the John Mackey Award (best tight end) and Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player).
โI canโt see how this guy doesnโt win the Mackey Award and the Paul Hornung Award,โ Franklin said after last Saturdayโs 35-6 win over Washington at Beaver Stadium. โDonโt see how he doesnโt. And theyโd be proud of that guy representing their award, because he does everything right, both on and off the field. Heโs done it that way since the day he stepped on campus.โ
WARRENโS CREDENTIALS
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren runs against USC on Oct. 12, 2024. — Angel Pena / Nittany Sports Now
If Warrenโs receiving numbers (681 yards, four touchdowns on 59 catches) told the full tale, it would be impressive enough. But what heโs been able to do running the ball (16 rushers, 157 yards, four TD), blocking and, sometimes, passing puts him on a different level.
So whatโs next for PSU? Penn State will next be in action Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3:30 against Minnesota in Minneapolis on CBS.
