Many feel that Penn State TE Tyler Warren deserves to be looked at for College Football’s 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 team’s best player— as had been the case all season— 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. That’s an award no tight end has won since 1949, when Notre Dame’s 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.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
“I think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football. … That’s all those types of awards, including the Heisman.”
Should Penn State tight end Tyler Warren be in the Heisman conversation?
James Franklin: “I think Tyler Warren should be a part of all the conversations that deal with the best football player in college football. … That's all those types of awards, including the Heisman.” 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).
“I can’t see how this guy doesn’t win the Mackey Award and the Paul Hornung Award,” Franklin said after last Saturday’s 35-6 win over Washington at Beaver Stadium. “Don’t see how he doesn’t. And they’d be proud of that guy representing their award, because he does everything right, both on and off the field. He’s done it that way since the day he stepped on campus.”
WARREN’S CREDENTIALS
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren runs against USC on Oct. 12, 2024. — Angel Pena / Nittany Sports Now
If Warren’s receiving numbers (681 yards, four touchdowns on 59 catches) told the full tale, it would be impressive enough. But what he’s been able to do running the ball (16 rushers, 157 yards, four TD), blocking and, sometimes, passing puts him on a different level.
So what’s next for PSU? Penn State will next be in action Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3:30 against Minnesota in Minneapolis on CBS.
