Replacing the best tight end in college football isn’t an easy task for any team and that includes Penn State.
Tyler Warren transformed PSU’s offense and won the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end with a historic season.
The Best: Penn State TE Tyler Warren School’s 1st Mackey Award Winner
He was drafted 14th overall by the Indianapolis Colts and ranks first all-time in total touchdowns by a Penn State tight end (25), receptions (153), receiving yards (1,839), and receiving touchdowns (19).
The show must go on without Warren, so who’s next for Penn State?
Former five-star prospect Luke Reynolds enters his sophomore year with high expectations and the opportunity to step into the tight end spotlight.
Reynolds and Cooper Cousins were the only freshmen not to redshirt last season and both will significantly factor into lead roles in Penn State’s offense.
FOX college football writer Michael Cohen has his eyes on Reynolds, more than any young, up-and-coming tight end in the nation.
Cohen included Reynolds as one of his Top 10 breakout candidates.
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“More than any other offensive player on this list, Reynolds’ inclusion is rooted almost exclusively in projection and anecdotal evidence rather than on-field production given his limited role last fall,” Cohen said.
Reynolds was the No. 1 tight end in the class of 2024. Cohen thinks Reynolds will fit well with QB Drew Allar in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense.
“Reynolds has the chance to become a preferred target for quarterback Drew Allar and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki in 2025,” Cohen said.
Reynolds, 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, started four of Penn State’s 16 games last season. He caught nine passes for 111 yards. Reynolds caught his first and only touchdown against Purdue Nov. 16 in a career game. He caught three balls for 53 yards, including a 11-yard catch.
Reynolds made one of the biggest plays of the season to help Penn State seal a win at Minnesota with a 32-yard fake punt in the fourth quarter.
He caught three passes for 23 yards in the College Football Playoff.
The main reason Reynolds didn’t see much playing time with Warren and veteran Khalil Dinkins factoring into the offense as receivers and solid blocking tight ends.
Reynolds has a great opportunity in front of him to walk in Warren’s footsteps and make a significant impact on a team with national championship aspirations as the final goal.
