Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1514597
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 2 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M KEY LOSS Theo Johnson | Jr. Johnson had another productive sea- son for the Lions in 2023. He declared for the NFL Draft after playing in the Peach Bowl. The Canadian posted 34 catches for 341 yards and 7 touchdowns during his final season in State College. His career stat line features 77 catches for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. KEY RETURNEES Tyler Warren | Sr. Warren was a touchdown machine for the Lions as a junior in 2023. He fin- ished tied for the team lead with 7 and he hauled in 34 passes for 472 yards. The Virginia native passed on the chance to leave for the NFL and is instead boost- ing the program's position group by re- turning for another year in 2024. Khalil Dinkins | R-Jr. Dinkins became the Lions' third tight end in the Peach Bowl. But, once John- son sat in the second half, he moved into the No. 2 role. He'll try to occupy that spot in 2024 after catching 5 passes for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2023. Jerry Cross | R-So. Cross, a Wisconsin native, fought in- juries during his first year on campus. In Year 2, he saw minimal action across five games, including the Peach Bowl. He will aim to carve out a bigger role in 2024 after recording no counting stats in 2023. Andrew Rappleyea | R-Fr. Rappleyea was viewed as a poten- tial instant impact contributor. But the Lions were able to preserve a year of eligibility for him in 2023 while still giv- ing him snaps in three games. He has the chance to be one of the surprises of spring and climb the depth chart. Joey Schlaffer | R-Fr. Schlaffer focused on developing in the weight room and as a blocker during his first season on campus. He did not see any game action while taking a redshirt year. NEWCOMER Luke Reynolds | Fr. Reynolds is the latest high-profile recruiting win for receivers coach Ty Howle. The All-American Bowl partici- pant is a four-star who is No. 89 overall in the latest On3 Industry Ranking for the class of 2024. He was a team captain at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut and had 48 receptions for 754 yards and 9 total touchdowns as a senior. 2024 Outlook Penn State looks to be in position to keep its highly productive tight ends room rolling for another season. Warren steps into the top spot for the first time in State College. He is versatile as a runner and receiver and can block well, too. If his play soars, his NFL Draft stock will rise with it. How the depth chart shakes out behind him this offseason will be fascinating. Dinkins will start spring as the No. 2 tight end. Will he end it in that spot? It will be interesting to see what kind of a move Rapple- yea makes in Year 2. Reynolds is the wild card of the group. On3 director of scouting Charles Power thinks he possesses some NFL-caliber skills, and the fact that he is enrolling early will only have the hype train running faster down the tracks. Some Nittany Lion position groups are filled with question marks. Tight end is not one of them, as Howle has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal yet again in 2024. — Greg Pickel Tight End Group Should Again Be A Position Of Strength Redshirt junior Khalil Dinkins hauled in 5 receptions for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns during the 2023 campaign. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL 2024 LOOK AHEAD TIGHT ENDS