Blue White Illustrated

>> simply showing up for training sessions with Dwight Galt. Kuntz worked exten- sively with Kayla Martin, Penn State's di- rector of performance nutrition services and now combines the athleticism he's always had with the size to be a multi- tool player. "It's what all the tight ends in our pro- gram strive to be," Bowen said. "Not only [is he] a great route runner – that's awe- some – but also a great run blocker, a great pass protector, good on the perimeter, re- ally just in every facet of the game, and that allows us to use those guys in more multiple ways. "I've seen him take another step. It's been exciting to watch him go out and work. His approach is as good as it's ever been, so I'm excited to see what Zack can do for us this year." So too is Freiermuth. Coming off a 2019 season in which then-offensive coordina- tor Ricky Rahne frequently used two- tight end sets, the Nittany Lions' preseason All-American figures to share the field with Kuntz at times this year. "I think Zack is ready to go," Freiermuth said. "I think that he's waited his turn. And I think that he's priming himself for a big year this year." ■ W hen Penn State tight ends coach Tyler Bowen explains what makes Pat Freiermuth the player that he is, he doesn't start with the size, the athleti- cism or any other physical attribute. As far as Bowen is concerned, Freiermuth's success starts with his brain. "I think the number one thing that al- ways sticks out to me about Pat before any of his other attributes is just his emo- tional maturity," Bowen said. "His ability to just take the game one play at a time and kind of live in the moment." Freiermuth's mentality has formed an e:ective platform for excellence. In his 9rst 27 games in blue and white, Freiermuth moved into the school's top 10 in career touchdown receptions with 16, a 9gure that also ranked as the most by a Nittany Lion tight end. "In my opinion, it really comes down to his emotional maturity," Bowen said, "just how he handles big situations, how he thrives in the biggest moments of games. He knows that none of that can happen without all of the things that lead up to it. He's one of the few guys and the rare guys that love all of the off-sea- son as much as he does the game because he understands that those things are going to prepare him to go play well in a game." Having moved into his junior season a;er a whirlwind o:-season that – in ad- dition to the whiplash created by the coronavirus pandemic – gave rise to seri- ous speculation over whether or not Freiermuth would stick around, the Mas- sachusetts native has leaned on his emo- tional maturity for more than just on-9eld success. "I considered going, obviously," Freier- muth said. "There were days where I was like, I'm leaving. And there were days where I was like, I can't leave just yet, I've got to wait it out. Obviously, there was communication between the coaches and me and my parents and everyone who was involved in my support system, just weighing out the pros and cons and everything." Eventually, the positives outweighed the negatives, and Freiermuth is back for a third year – one that could see him chal- lenge for the John Mackey Award, handed out to the best tight end in the nation every season. Before the season, some handicapped the race for that accolade as a two-horse a:air between Freiermuth and Florida's Kyle Pitts. While Freiermuth was forced to the sidelines in September and early October, waiting for the Big Ten's start date, Pitts was racking up numbers. In games against South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas A&M, Pitts totaled 274 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. True to the maturity that makes him special, though, Freiermuth won't allow himself to get caught up in a distraction. "Me and Kyle have a great relationship," he said. "I'm not going to put anything down on him as a player. He's a great player. He's a phenomenal player. But I think I'm just going to let my game do the talking." ■ Freiermuth's mental approach paying dividends | PAT FREIERMUTH Ryan Snyder

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