Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1472993
A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 4 9 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M TIGHT ENDS PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★★ National Title; ★★★★ Top 10; ★★★ Top 25; ★★ Too Unproven; ★ Major Concern STARTER ★★★ Brenton Strange started every game as a red- shirt sophomore last season, while Theo Johnson made six starts as a second-year freshman, taking the field in place of receiver Parker Washington when the Nittany Lions opened with two tight ends. It's probable that both will reprise their roles this fall, with Strange continuing to appear at the top of the depth chart and Johnson seeing ample playing time and making occasional starts. With two capable starters at tight end, Penn State appears to be in good shape here. EXPERIENCE ★★★ Between them, Strange, Johnson and third-year sophomore Tyler Warren have played in 59 games and made 25 starts. There isn't another scholar- ship tight end on the roster who has seen game action, but as long as the top three stay healthy, the Nittany Lions won't lack experience here. DEPTH ★★★ Redshirt freshman Khalil Dinkins and true freshman Jerry Cross are behind Strange, Johnson and Warren. Neither has received playing time yet, but they give PSU some added security in case there's a run of injuries at the position. OVERALL GRADE ★★★ There's no doubt that the Nittany Lions need to boost their productivity at this position group. The tight ends weren't a consistent factor in the passing game last year, totaling just 499 receiving yards. Run blocking was an issue, too, at times, part of an offensive malaise that turned the season's second half into a slog. In short, there's lots of room for improve- ment here. There's also reason to believe Penn State has the players it needs to make this position group a team strength. Strange and Johnson were both coveted four-star prospects who impressed the coaching staff upon their arrival. Warren was more of a project, having played quarterback in high school, but he, too, has shown the ability to become a major contributor. Add it up, and you have the makings of a solid tight end corps. PERSONNEL POSITION COACH Ty Howle: A former Penn State offensive lineman, Howle returned to his alma mater in 2020 as an analyst. He spent just one sea- son in that role before being promoted to tight ends coach in 2021 when Tyler Bowen left to join the Jacksonville Jaguars' staff. Howle, the son of a longtime North Caro- lina high school coach, graduated from PSU following the 2013 season and headed back home as a graduate assistant at North Carolina State. After two years with the Wolfpack, he went to work for former Penn State quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher at Western Illinois. He spent his first two years with the Leathernecks serving as offensive line coach and the last two as co-offensive coordinator. In 2018, he called the plays for a Western Illinois offense that ranked 21st nationally in passing (271.9 yards per game). When he returned to Penn State in 2020, Howle worked closely with Bowen and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein. The following February, he was named a full- time assistant coach, with James Franklin describing him as "an impressive coach and a tremendous leader of young men." RETURNING SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS KHALIL DINKINS R-Fr. | 6-4 | 233 • Did not see action during his first season at Penn State but was twice named the scout team's offensive player of the week. • Was a four-year letterman at North Al- legheny (Pa.) High and a team captain as a senior. THEO JOHNSON So. | 6-6 | 254 • Appeared in all 13 games and made six starts for the Nittany Lions during the 2021 season, finishing with 19 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown. • Played in seven games and made one start as a true freshman in 2020, totaling 56 yards on 4 receptions. BRENTON STRANGE R-Jr. | 6-3 | 248 • Started all 13 games in 2021 and finished with 20 catches for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns, winning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. • Took over the starting job at midseason in 2020 after Pat Freiermuth was injured and ended up making five starts, catching 17 passes for 164 yards and 2 touch- downs. TYLER WARREN So. | 6-6 | 254 • Appeared in all 13 games last year, total- ing 5 catches for 61 yards and a touch- down while adding 2 rushing scores. • Played in two games as a true freshman and was the scout team's offensive player of the week ahead of PSU's game against Maryland on Nov. 7. NEWCOMER JERRY CROSS Fr. | 6-5 | 250 • Enrolled at Penn State in January, partici- pated in spring practice and had a 1-yard catch in the Blue-White Game. • Received a four-star rating from On3 and was the No. 15 tight end nationally and No. 6 prospect in Wisconsin in the On3 Consensus. In addition to making 5 catches for 61 yards, backup tight end Tyler Warren served as a wildcat quarterback for the Nittany Lions last year and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL