In something that should surprise absolutely nobody, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is a finalist for the John Mackey Award, presented annually to college footballโs top tight end.
Mackey Award Finalist โก๏ธ Tyler Warren
๐ Paul Hornung Award finalist, Walter Camp POY semifinalist
๐ Tied B1G TE record with 75 Rec this season
๐ 1st among P4 TE in Rec, Rec Yds, Rec Yds/Game, Yds/Reception, 100-yd Rec Games and Total TDโก๏ธ https://t.co/ezWxHeG5iz#WeAre pic.twitter.com/imHBmHWTee
— Penn State Football Communications (@PennStFBComms) November 26, 2024
Warren is one of eight finalists for the award, with others being Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green), Colston Loveland (Michigan), Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame), Mason Taylor (LSU), Tanner Koziol (Ball State), Gunnar Helm (Texas) and Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt).
Despite the lineage of quality tight ends than have come through Penn State since James Franklin took over as coach in 2014โ Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth and Warrenโs past teammates Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson come to mindโ no Penn State player has ever won the Mackey.
A SEASON FOR THE AGES
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No Penn State tight end in history is doing what Warren is doing in 2024. His receiving statsโ 910 yards and five touchdowns on 75 receptionsโ are impressive. But Warren has also been a force at times running the ball, picking up 157 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. Kyle Golik of MikeFarrellSports.com put it like this:
โOn the field, Warren has been used in every single facet offensively for Penn State this season from having a passing touchdown against Kent State – which isnโt unique, but coupled by the fact Warrenโs four rushing touchdowns from the tight end position are the most by a Big Ten tight end since 1956, he leads the Power 4 amongst tight ends in total touchdowns, yards per reception, and yards per game. Warren against Southern California had 17 receptions which tied a FBS record for most receptions by a tight end in a single game. That was also Warrenโs season highlight of snapping the ball and then because he was eligible to be a receiver caught a Drew Allar touchdown pass.โ
WARRENโS BIGGEST COMPETITION
KALAMAZOO, MI – NOVEMBER 21: Bowling Green Falcons tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) catches the ball during the college football game between the Ball State Cardinals and Western Michigan Broncos on November 21, 2023, at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MI. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire)
The biggest threat Tyler Warren has to winning the Mackey is undoubtedly Bowling Greenโs Harold Fannin Jr. Fannin is tied for second in the country among all pass catchers with 92 receptions and leads all pass catchers with 1,295 yards, adding nine touchdowns. 11 of those catches and 137 of those yards came against Penn State Sept. 6. If anybody can beat Warren out, Fannin is the guy.
Penn State takes on Maryland Saturday at Beaver Stadium in its regular-season finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 on CBS.
