3 questions for the Penn State tight ends entering summer
The Penn State football program is rolling into the summer workout portion of its offseason calendar. Players will work with the strength staff and also each other to improve ahead of preseason camp, which will start when July crosses over into August. What are the top questions facing each position group? After previously looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, it’s time to evaluate the tight ends.
1. Is Tyler Warren ready to be the leading man?
Penn State veteran tight end Tyler Warren has shared the spotlight in recent years. While it’s true he’s been a touchdown machine, especially last season, he’s never been seen, fairly or not, as the leader of the position group. That will change this year. Theo Johnson is now in the NFL. Which leaves Warren as the oldest and most accomplished player in the room. Is he ready for what lies ahead? While his snap count has been and will continue to be high, he’ll now be tasked with being a frequent focal point of opposing defenses who know what he’s capable of and can key in on him if they want to. He must be ready to take the next step in what has already been a very accomplished career to date and includes last year’s career-best marks of 34 catches for 422 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
2. Is Khalil Dinkins ready to step into the spotlight?
This is not a question Penn State has had to ask or answer for years. The last time the Lions did not have two sure-fire studs at tight end going into the fall was 2019. Position coach Ty Howle has done a great job developing and sustaining talent over the last handful of years. His latest task will be to figure out who the No. 2 option will be behind Warren.
By seniority, the role would go to Khalil Dinkins. The Pittsburgh native has nine catches for 110 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons in State College. He has shown flashes but has not been given a wealth of opportunities, considering how much Warren and Johnson have played. But, with Johnson moving up to the NFL, Dinkins’ time to shine is now. Is he ready to take advantage of the snaps that are now there to be had? If so, he will be the No. 2, without question.
3. Will two former four-star recruits make a dent on the Penn State tight end depth chart?
Howle has succeeded as a coach for many reasons. One of them is that he recruits his position very well. Penn State signed four-star Andrew Rappleyea in the Class of 2023 and followed him with four-star Luke Reynolds in the Class of 2024. Will either earn significant playing time this year? If either or both will, what they do this summer to take the next steps before camp will be a big reason why. Rappleyea was seen by some as a possible first-year contributor but preserved his redshirt. Reynolds is now viewed in a similar way after enrolling early and taking part in his first spring practice. Both will try and pass Dinkins and fellow returner Jerry Cross on the depth chart. Time will tell if either is able to do so.
The post 3 questions for the Penn State tight ends entering summer appeared first on On3.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings