Tyler Warren transformed from a high-school option quarterback in Virginia into one of the most complete tight ends in college football. Penn State rode his versatility throughout a run to the 2024 College Football Playoff, and NFL scouts now view him as the prototype for modern offenses that crave matchup nightmares.
Quarterback Roots in Mechanicsville
Warren played quarterback, tight end, and defensive back at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He accounted for more than 5,000 total yards and 62 touchdowns during his prep career while also starring on the basketball court. Tight ends coach Tyler Bowen and offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne convinced Warren to join Penn State’s 2020 class, pitching him on the chance to develop as a multi-tool tight end within the Nittany Lions’ pro-style system.
Incremental Growth
After a two-game cameo in 2020, Warren established himself as a red-zone threat in 2021, scoring twice on direct-snap runs out of the “LawnBoy” package. He expanded his route tree in 2022, posting 10 receptions for 123 yards and three touchdowns while improving as an in-line blocker. His breakout began in 2023 when he caught 34 passes for 422 yards and seven touchdowns, giving Drew Allar a trusted safety blanket on third down.
Historic 2024 Season
Everything clicked in 2024. Warren led all FBS tight ends with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, winning the John Mackey Award and earning unanimous All-America honors. Coordinator Andy Kotelnicki moved him everywhere: as an attached tight end in 12 personnel, split out as a big slot, and even aligned in the backfield where he produced 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns on direct snaps. Warren’s combination of size (6-foot-6, 257 pounds), soft hands, and quarterback brain turned Penn State’s offense into a matchup puzzle.
2025 Leadership Role
Now a fifth-year senior, Warren is a captain who handles media duties, mentors younger tight ends such as Andrew Rappleyea, and helps redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer diagnose coverages. Even with Allar sidelined, Warren remains a focal point of the passing game thanks to his ability to sit in soft zones or stress defenses vertically.
NFL Projection
Front offices see Warren as a plug-and-play weapon. He blocks with leverage, understands protections from his quarterback background, and has demonstrated the durability to handle 80-plus snaps in high-leverage games. Most draft analysts place him in the late first-round or early second-round conversation for the 2025 draft, citing his usage versatility and production against elite competition.
Tyler Warren’s rise from dual-threat quarterback to Mackey Award winner underscores Penn State’s knack for identifying unique athletes and maximizing their skill sets. The Nittany Lions’ offense is at its best when No. 44 is dictating terms to the defense, whether he’s flexed wide, attached to the line, or taking another direct snap near the goal line.