Tag: Tyler Warren

Penn State spring football preview: Wide receivers and tight ends

Who will be the wide receivers and tight ends to watch in Penn State spring football practices this year?

As Penn State gets ready to embark on the 2023 season, the offense will be expected to be the big storyline this fall. With a new starting quarterback taking the spotlight, it should not go without mentioning that the wide receiver position will be instrumental to Penn State’s success this season. And with its top two wide receivers and leading tight end from last season departing the program for the NFL, there is more to figure out on offense than whether or not its new quarterback is ready to take flight.

Penn State loses Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley at wide receiver and Brenton Strange at tight end. Together, that accounts for 1,550 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns to replace in the passing offense from a year ago. Fortunately, Penn State has some players ready to step up and make up for the lost production, including some young players that will continue to develop this spring.

Here is a look at what Penn State has to offer at wide receiver and tight end this spring when spring football practices open on March 14.

Keandre Lambert-Smith

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Measurables: 6’1″, 184 lb

Year: Junior

Expected role: Starting wide receiver

KeAndre Lambert-Smith is Penn State’s top returning wide receiver from a season ago. Following the departures of Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley, Lambert-Smith has the most Penn State experience at the position, and he should remain a fixture in the offense for new starting quarterback Drew Allar to rely on stretching the field.

[autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag]

Harrison Wallace III

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Measurables: 6’1″, 196 lb

Year: Redshirt sophomore

Expected role: Possible starting wide receiver, solid contributor

Competing for a possible starting job could be Harrison Wallace III, who had 19 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown last season as a reserve option. Wallace finished sixth on the team in receiving yards in 2022 and is the third-leading receiver coming back from last year’s roster, although a pair of transfer additions to the roster means Wallace will look to make a statement this spring for consideration for an increased role in the fall.

NEXT: Key transfer additions

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s win vs. Michigan State

The grades are in for Penn State’s performance against Michigan State in this week’s report card.

Despite it getting interesting towards the end, this was a thorough thrashing by the Nittany Lions against Michigan State. Not only did Penn State win impressively but they also won the Land Grant Trophy while also keeping Michigan State from becoming bowl eligible.

As for Penn State, they now will end the year with double-digit wins and as a top-ten team after starting the season unranked. Just as we alluded to before the season, [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag]’s teams do very well when they are underestimated.

For this game though, there were some highs and lows but overall this game should be seen as a easy scorecard.

Quarterback

Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B-

[autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] looked like his usual self on Senior Night, in what could be considered his third one but we will let him have his moment. Anyhow, Clifford made some big time throws including a dicey deep ball for a touchdown to [autotag]Keandre Lambert-Smith[/autotag]. It was a nice way to cap off a long career for Clifford. He will now have a chance most likely on the stage of a New Years Six bowl to get Penn State one more big win.

NEXT: Running backs

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Best photos from Penn State’s win over the Spartans

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s victory over Michigan State.

Penn State found a way to take care of Michigan State in the final game of the 2022 regular season on Saturday. Penn State’s 35-16 victory was keyed by four touchdown passes from [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] and big plays by the defense when it needed it the most.

Penn State’s win improved the Nittany Lions to 10-2 for the regular season, and they hope that will be enough to send the team to a New Years Six bowl game this bowl season. But, perhaps more importantly in the moment, it brings the Land Grant Trophy back to Happy Valley after the Spartans took ownership of the ugly duckling of Big Ten trophies last season.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s Week 13 victory over Michigan State to close up the regular season with double-digit wins.

Best photos of Penn State’s lopsided win at Rutgers

Check out the best photos form Penn State’s Week 12 win at Rutgers

Penn State had to work to overcome a feisty effort from Rutgers on the road, and a sluggish start by the offense, but all was good by the time the clock hit triple zeroes on Saturday evening in New Jersey. Penn State’s 55-10 victory over Rutgers ensured Penn State’s goal of playing in a New Years Six bowl game will remain alive going into the final weekend of the college football regular season, and the team got contributions in the win in all areas.

Penn State scored a touchdown on special teams with [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] returning a touchdown 100 yards for a score in the first quarter, and the defense scored a pair of touchdowns on fumble returns by [autotag]Ji’Ayir Brown[/autotag] and [autotag]Kalen King[/autotag]. A third defensive touchdown was wiped off the board by a blocking penalty on the return. Regardless, it was all smiles for the road team as Penn State left New Jersey with a 9-2 record with one final home game to play next weekend against Michigan State.

Here are some of the top photos from Penn State’s decisive victory at Rutgers.

Report Card: Grading Penn State’s performance vs. Ohio State

The grades are in for Penn State after the loss to Ohio State, and it’s time to assess a few things.

In what seemed to be a very promising performance, the floor fell out on James Franklin and Penn State just as quick as it was built.

Penn State had this game and should’ve won this game when they had no business of it. Three turnovers and they were within one score before it fell apart in the second half of the fourth quarter. This won’t be a very happy report card but it will be an honest one.

Quarterback

Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: F

The gloves are off for this one, [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag] is the reason Penn State didn’t win today. I am not saying that [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] would’ve done any better but Clifford and his turnovers made this game what it was.

Now, he has his record as the school’s passing touchdown leader and with that he needs to transition to the role of mentor. Let Drew Allar start getting some starts as the schedule starts to get easy so he is primed for next year. Starting Clifford serves zero purpose for the bigger picture of this team.

NEXT: Running backs

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Report Card: Grading Penn State’s performance vs. Minnesota

Grading Penn State’s performance against Minnesota sees many high marks to go around.

The game was tight to start but Penn State eventually got its groove that it lost in Ann Arbor back. Minnesota presented a challenge early but the emergence of some veteran names that had been absent all year ended up making a difference.

This ended up being one of the easier report cards to do which hopefully makes you folks happy. We see you in the comments so hopefully, this near-perfect performance gives you a near-perfect reading experience.

Quarterback

Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: A+

Easily the best game of the year was this one for [autotag]Sean Clifford[/autotag]. He was hitting his receivers and tight ends at all levels of the field, great velocity, and smart decision making. You can’t ask for much more from the sixth year senior. Sprinkle in a late game touchdown drive by [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag] and you have a perfect night for the quarterbacks.

NEXT: Running backs

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Penn State hopes to have big offensive option available vs. Auburn

Penn State could be getting an offensive lift with the potential return of this key offensive player vs. Auburn

Tight end [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] has yet to see the football field for Penn State through the first two games of the season, but that could be about to change this weekend as the Nittnay Lions visit Auburn on Saturday. Johnson, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, was seen practicing with the team on Wednesday as Penn State goes through the final preparations before flying south for the Week 3 matchup with the Tigers.

“Yeah, we’re hopeful,” head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] said after practice when asked whether Johnson will be available this weekend, according to Lions247. “No decision, no final decisions have been made yet. But we’re hopeful. He’s been doing a little bit more each day and a little bit more each week. So we’re hopeful.”

Franklin has not gone into detail on the injury situation for Johnson, as he is known to do when it comes to injuries for players. Johnson watched each of the past two games on the sidelines in street clothes. His eventual return to the field will be a nice lift for the offense as he has the ability to be a solid contributor alongside [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag] at the tight end position.

Johnson was fifth in receiving on the team last season with 19 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown. He had a 37-yard reception last season against Auburn.

[autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] has been stepping up as Penn State’s second tight end in the absence of Johnson in the first two games. Warren has caught four passes for 39 yards. Strange is Penn State’s third-leading receiver with three receptions for 89 yards, 66 of which came on one play in the season opener at Purdue.

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Best photos from Penn State’s blowout of Ohio

Check out these photos from Penn State’s Beaver Stadium opening win vs. Ohio

Penn State celebrated a comfortable victory in its 2022 home opener on a beautiful afternoon for college football in Beaver Stadium. Penn State topped Ohio, 46-10, with a solid glimpse into the future of the Nittany Lions behind big showings from freshman running back [autotag]Nick Singleton[/autotag] and freshman quarterback [autotag]Drew Allar[/autotag].

Penn State extended its home winning streak in non-conference games to a Big Ten-leading 21 games with the win over the Bobcats.

Here are some of the best photos from Penn State’s second victory of the season.

2022 Penn State football: Nittany Lions’ tight ends preview

Overview of what Penn State has to offer at tight end going into the 2022 season.

The passing game has really allowed for Penn State to showcase it’s receiving talent. In recent memory we have seen [autotag]Pat Freiermuth[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Gesicki[/autotag] who have turned State College success into NFL success.

The talent in the tight end room this year has some NFL-level talent in it as well. Players like [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag] are already getting media attention being named to the John Mackey Award watchlist. Both men are expected to bring big time blocking and receiving to the Penn State offense with their own unique skillsets.

The room itself has a nice mix of young and old players in it. Coach James Franklin has shown an affinity to give the NFL talent at all positions and because of that he is now aware he has to have deep rosters at skill positions.

Penn State snapshot profile: No. 44 Tyler Warren

Penn State’s tight ends will be a key to the season, but where does Tyler Warren fit in the picture?

Going into the 2022 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] this season.

Penn State’s tight end room is deep, and one of those players is Virginia native [autotag]Tyler Warren[/autotag] from the class of 2020.

Warren comes in as a third-year player getting a bit of playing time from last season. He looks to likely get that third tight end role behind [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag].