Tyler Warren is one of the most successful tight ends in Penn State history and a memorable athlete PSU fans will remember fondly for years to come.
Selected 14th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the NFL Draft, Warren secured numerous records and accomplishments to put a bow on a dominant senior year. Add one more award to the trophy case.
On Tuesday, the Big Ten awarded Warren with Penn State’s Big Ten Medal of Honor. The accolade recognizes one male and one female student-athlete from each graduating class in the conference “who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their college career.” Maddie Gordon (softball) won the award on the women’s side.
The Big Ten Medal of Honor was created in 1915 and is the highest honor a student-athlete can achieve competing in conference athletics, according to a statement from Penn State Athletics. The award was created to support “the educational emphasis placed on athletics.”
More than 1,500 student-athletes have been honored over the past century.
“#WeAre so proud of this guy and not surprised, class act,” head coach James Franklin said on Twitter.
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Warren won the Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end this season, beating out Colston Loveland (Michigan) and Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green). The 6-foot-5 tight end from Mechanicsville, Maryland, also finished 7th place in Heisman Trophy voting.
He became the Nittany Lions’ single-season record holder in receptions (104 in 16 games, including the College Football Playoff) and single-season tight end records at PSU and in the conference for catches and receiving yards (1,233).
The highlight of Warren’s electric season, which included highlight-reel touchdowns in the CFP against Boise State and Notre Dame, came in Hollywood. In a 33-30 OT victory at USC, Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 13.2 yards per catch and dominated USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Warren ranks first all-time in total touchdowns by a Penn State tight end (25), receptions (153), receiving yards (1,839), and receiving touchdowns (19). Six of Warren’s 25 touchdowns were rushing TDs. A former high school quarterback, Warren displayed his versatility, throwing for a touchdown and rushing for 224 yards on 32 carries, and scoring six touchdowns.
Warren finished his Penn State career tied for fourth in both career receptions by a Penn State tight end (153) and receiving scores for a program with notable alumni Kyle Brady, Mike Gesicki, Brenton Strange, and Pat Freiermuth.
