Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
4 6 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / T H E C L A S S O F 2 0 2 5 / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / yards and another 4 scores. Olesh was impressed by Warren's performance in first-year coordinator Andy Kotel- nicki's offense, as were the Nittany Li- ons' other two tight end signees, four- star prospects Brian Kortovich and Matt Henderson. "I think Coach Kotelnicki is re- ally unique with the way he uses tight ends," Olesh said during the season. "You could see it in the USC game. Ty- ler Warren snapped the ball and caught a pass [on the same play]. Tyler War- ren is the best tight end in college foot- ball right now, and I think the stats just prove it." Earlier in his recruitment, Olesh said on multiple occasions that he wanted to find a place where he could play early. At Penn State, Warren is moving on to the NFL, but the Lions still have a deep tight ends room. Once Henderson joins the team in June, all seven scholarship tight ends on the roster will be former four-star recruits. Watching the Nittany Lions last fall, Olesh saw the impact that then-fresh- man Luke Reynolds was able to have. Reynolds saw action in all 16 games, playing on offense and special teams. He had one of the season's biggest plays when he ran 32 yards on a fake punt to help the Lions run out the clock in a 26- 25 win at Minnesota. Seeing Reynolds shine in his first sea- son in State College "might have had some influence," Olesh's father said. "But in college football today, there's plenty of time. If you're not an impact player right away, you can still grow and learn from these older players. I think he came around to that way of thinking eventually." Olesh enrolled at Penn State in Janu- ary and was then named the nation's No. 1 tight end in On3's final player rat- ings for the class. He's already advanced enough as a receiver to make an impact. However, like so many talented pros- pects, he also knows there's still plenty that he can improve on. "I think the big thing I need to get better at is blocking," Olesh said. "I think blocking comes with putting on weight, putting on muscle and getting on that nutrition plan early. Also, just getting to work with Coach Howle on blocking drills and overall just working my ass off. I think by early enrolling, [my rise up the depth chart] will come quicker." — Ryan Snyder TE | 6-5 | 210 Southern Lehigh Center Valley, Pa. Rankings Stars Nat. Pos. State On3 Industry ★★★★ 46 3 1 On3 ★★★★★ 29 1 1 247Sports ★★★★ 46 3 1 ESPN ★★★★ 74 3 2 Rivals ★★★★ 169 5 3 Statistics • Totaled 75 receptions for 1,105 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season • Finished with 53 receptions for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns his junior year Notable • Led Southern Lehigh to the PIAA Class 4A semifinals for the first time in school history • Named to the Pennsylvania Football Writ- ers Class 4A All-State team as a senior • Holds school records for most career recep- tions (156) and receiving yards (2,354) • Enrolled at Penn State in January Recruitment • Committed to Penn State on Dec. 6, 2024 • Recruited by tight ends coach Ty Howle • Picked Penn State over Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oregon • Officially visited on June 14, 2024 2025 Projection Olesh has already enrolled and possesses both the physical makeup and athleticism to contribute early. However, you won't find a position group on Penn State's roster that's as deep as tight end at the moment. With redshirt senior Khalil Dinkins, redshirt sopho- mores Andrew Rappleyea and Joey Schlaffer, and sophomore Luke Reynolds all returning in 2025, don't be surprised if Olesh sees the field at times but is limited to four games so he can preserve his freshman eligibility in 2026. They Said It On3 scouting director Charles Power: "The big thing with Olesh is that he's an out- standing route runner. He has a ton of shake in his routes, and I think that really projects well, not only to the college game but also to the NFL. He has that big frame, catches the ball well and is very dangerous after the catch. He's a guy we've seen do a lot of stuff with the ball in his hands the past two seasons." T H E O L E S H F I L E Olesh made 10 visits to Penn State and ultimately signed with the Nittany Lions in December after previously commit- ting to Michigan. PHOTO BY SEAN FITZ