A play that appeared to be dead from the start turned out to be one of the best in Tyler Warren’s career – which was already full of highlight moments.
Against Maryland this season, the Penn State tight end went in motion across the formation as quarterback Drew Allar caught a shotgun snap. Warren picked up a block on a defensive lineman, which he has no problem doing since he’s as tall and as strong as many FBS linemen.
But Allar dropped the ball while trying to fake a handoff, causing the play to break down. And that forced Warren to improvise. He shoved a defender out of the way, and as Allar was under duress, he ran toward the sideline and raised his hand, communicating he was ready for a pass.
Warren caught the ball eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. And with so many players swarming toward him, it looked like it was about to be a lost play.
But he stiff-armed one opponent. Then hurdled over another. Then outran another.
He dashed along the sideline all the way to Maryland’s 22-yard line for a 29-yard gain.
Warren is an elite pass catcher. He’s a vaunted run blocker. He’s even handled wildcat quarterback responsibilities.
And he might be the No. 1 player Boise State needs to worry about in the Fiesta Bowl.
“Tyler Warren is elite,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. “And that’s not just my opinion. I’m very positive he’s gonna be probably the first tight end taken off the board in the NFL Draft because of that. He can do it all. More times than not, when you see a tight end, he’s a really good pass catcher and you have to deal with that. Or he’s really dominant and physical at the point of attack in the run game. With Tyler Warren, he does it all. I mean, he’s extremely violent at the point of attack.
“He can catch every ball. I mean, he’s one of their top targets on all downs and he can play wildcat and throw the ball, too. You talk about an extremely gifted athlete. We have to know where 44 is at at all times. And even when you got him covered, he’s the type of athlete that he’s still not covered because of how tall he is and how athletic he is. He can go up and get those jump balls any time he wants.”
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Fiesta Bowl Time, Date & TV Channel
Penn State (12-2) will play Boise State (12-1) in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The game, which is one of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchups, will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
And Warren will be one of the top players to watch.
“I just focus on my job, and I know what the scheme of each play we run is, and I know what to do to either make the play or get somebody else open,” Warren said. “That’s kind of how I look at it game to game.”
Tyler Warren Stats
Warren, who played quarterback in high school, has caught 92 passes for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns this season.
He’s second in the country among tight ends for receiving yards. He only trails Harold Fannin Jr. of Bowling Green, who was the Group of Five Offensive Player of the Year. He set the single-season FBS records for tight ends with 1,555 yards and 117 catches.
For his career, Warren has caught 141 passes for 1,701 yards and 17 touchdowns in 29 games started.
Even before he watched Penn State’s win over SMU in the first round of the CFP, Danielson knew how skilled Warren is. The coach had watched film, he had asked coaches who competed against him, and it all pointed to one thing: Warren is elite in all areas of the game.
“He’s better than maybe you might even think he is,” Danielson said. “It’s one of those where you keep waiting for, OK, what are some flaws in his game? Is someone gonna find something, even when you are watching film? If there are any, it’s hard to find, because what he’s able to do in the pass game and the run game, as a quarterback. He’s one of the best I have seen in a long time. He’s a huge part of what they do offensively and as a team.”
Warren is the second-highest tight end in Pro Football Focus’ grades for blocking this season. He’s behind only Fannin.
Penn State head coach James Franklin believes Warren’s ability to block isn’t talked about nearly enough, especially considering he can line up anywhere on the field.
“This year, he’s doing that as kind of the leader of the tight end room, but also one of the focal points of our offense,” Franklin said. “His physical skills, his athletic skills, and his intelligence allows us to use him in a ton of different ways and combine all of those things we have done throughout his career and do it all in one year – and sometimes all in one game.”
Tyler Warren’s Size & Speed Are Issues For Opponents
Warren is 6-foot-6, 261 pounds. And with his rare combination of size and athleticism, it’s no wonder why he’s one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.
Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said there’s “no question” Warren is the most unique player BSU’s faced all year. And because he does so much, it creates countless issues for opponents, including deciding who to line up – like an extra linebacker or defensive back – when Warren is on the field.
“Obviously, he’s an elite player,” Chinander said. “Won some awards, which he definitely deserves. Really good in the run game, makes some unbelievable catches, runs great routes. I think he can do a lot. They put him as a wildcat quarterback. He can throw the ball, run the ball. Just a really, really good player, and I think that he makes every part of their offense better.”
Tyler Warren’s NFL Draft Projection
I project Warren will be a mid-round NFL Draft pick this offseason.
He would be a brilliant addition for a pro team in so many areas. He’s fearsome at the point of attack, creates mismatches for defenses in the passing game, and he’s a threat to create explosive plays every time the ball is in his hands, whether that’s after a catch, a handoff, or a direct snap.
“They have one of the best tight ends in the entire country,” Danielson said. “He will be a first-day draft pick, and it’s deserved. What I love about Tyler, No. 44, he’s not just a pass catcher. He will line up at wildcat. He catches a ton of balls, but he’s extremely physical at the point of attack and the run game.”
Penn State TE Tyler Warren’s Versatility
Boise State tight end Matt Lauter said Warren’s skill set is reminiscent of Travis Kelce when he was at Cincinnati considering he was also a former quarterback who took direct snaps and slowly evolved into one of the greatest tight ends football has ever seen.
And Warren loves the position because tight ends do so much. But he certainly embraces that versatility more than most.
“I have done a little bit more than what a usual tight end would do,” Warren said. “I enjoy doing that, and knowing I’m doing something to help out the offense in whatever way that is week-to-week is something I really take pride in and what kind of my goal is each week.”
