Nittany Sports Now can confirm that one of Penn State football’s veteran players is no longer with the program.
Blue-White Illustrated reported late Wednesday morning that tight end Joey Schlaffer is no longer with the team.
Schlaffer, a native of Exeter, Pennsylvania, near Reading, was with the program for almost three full seasons, but didn’t have too many chances to break through in what was a loaded tight end room for all three years.
When Schlaffer started his career, Theo Johnson was the No. 1 guy. When Johnson left, Tyler Warren took over. After Warren’s historic 2024 season, Luke Reynolds, Khalil Dinkins and Andrew Rappleyea were still in the fold.
Schlaffer did have a moment in the sun earlier this season, catching a 19-yard touchdown pass against Villanova for his first college catch and score. That ended up being one of the last feel-good moments of PSU’s season to this point.
The Villanova game was more than a month and a half ago, and Penn State is still looking for its first since, having dropped five straight.
Schlaffer’s PSU ties run deep. His older brother, Michael Menet, was Penn State’s starting center from 2018-20, twice being named All-Big Ten. Menet, like Schlaffer, excelled for Exeter Township. Schlaffer came to Penn State as a three-star recruit, committing in October 2021. Before signing with Penn State, Schlaffer had an excellent senior season, going for 879 yards and nine touchdowns on 38 receptions. He ended his career with the all-time county records for receiving yards (2,493) and touchdowns (28).
“I was aware that high school and college football at a place like this are two completely different things,” Schaffer told Rich Scarcella of the Reading Eagle in February 2024. “My brother (former Penn State center and three-year starter Michal Menet) is a perfect example. He got redshirted and then didn’t play much his second year either. “He told me before I got here that it’s very rare to come in and start or get really good minutes as a true freshman. It’s a grind. People work a long time to get a starting spot at a place like this.”
