Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1533674
A P R I L 2 0 2 5 3 7 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M working out again. The next couple of weeks are just me getting right and get- ting ready for my Pro Day to perform at an elite level." Penn State was set to hold its Pro Day on March 28, with Carter vowing on so- cial media to make up for his quiet stay in Indy. "Bring ya popcorn," he tweeted. If Tennessee were to use its pick on the star edge rusher, he would join an elite fra- ternity at PSU. For now, it's a group of two. Running back Ki-Jana Carter (Cincinnati, 1995) and defensive end Courtney Brown (Cleveland, 2000) are the only Lions to be chosen No. 1 overall. Carter believes he's worthy of becoming the third. "I feel like I'm the best player in the country," he said, "and the best player should be selected No. 1." — Matt Herb TYLER WARREN TE | 6-5 | 256 Projection: First-Round Pick It's been 30 years since Penn State had a tight end picked in the first round of the NFL Draft. All-American Kyle Brady landed with the New York Jets at No. 9 in the 1995 pro selection process. Based on current projections, Tyler Warren, the John Mackey Award win- ner and Big Ten Tight End of the Year as a senior, is in line to join him in the top 10. If the analysts are right, he might even go at the same exact spot as his PSU predecessor. Warren was electric for the Nittany Lions in 2024. He had been enjoying a fine career before Andy Kotelnicki took charge of Penn State's offense a year ago, but the new coordinator took him to an- other level entirely. In their lone season together, Warren set Big Ten records with his 104 catches for 1,233 yards. He caught 8 touchdown passes, improving his ca- reer total to a school-record 19. Warren's breakout game came against USC on Oct. 12. He caught 17 passes for 224 yards in Penn State's overtime victory over the Trojans, tying the FBS single-game receptions record for tight ends. Highlighting his afternoon was a gadget play on which he served as both the center and receiver, the result being a 32-yard touchdown catch. The versatility that Warren displayed throughout the season as a blocker, re- ceiver, runner, quarterback and punter helped him take the college football world by storm. In the process, he piqued the interest of NFL offensive coaches. FOX Sports reported that Warren is one of a select few members of this year's draft class who've been invited to sit in the green room in Green Bay, Wis., one of the many signs that he'll be going early in the draft and will get to stroll across the stage and shake com- missioner Roger Goodell's hand. And yet, listening to Warren discuss the draft, you would think he's just getting ready for a regular job interview, not one that will lead to a multimillion-dollar payday. "I think I can do a lot of different things," Warren said at the NFL Scout- ing Combine in February. "That's what's kind of fun about the tight end position — you get to do a lot of different things within an offense. That's what I try to focus on. "Whatever the offense needs from week to week is what I'll do. And that might change from game to game, so I think I'm a guy who can do a lot of dif- ferent things and fill a lot of different holes." NFL teams agree. Several mock drafts have the New Orleans Saints select- ing him with pick No. 9, the same spot as Brady three decades ago. As of mid- March, however, the consensus on NFL- MockDraftDatabase.com was that War- ren would end up going seventh overall to the New York Jets. That would be another historic accomplishment for the former Nittany Lion, making him the program's highest-drafted tight end ever. — Greg Pickel What They're Saying About Tyler Warren "The ultimate 'whatever, whenever' player in the 2025 draft with the size, athleticism and com- petitive spirit to make good on his intentions. Warren plays with swagger and 'best player on the field' energy. He imprints on games with alignment versatility, allowing opportunities for play-callers to stress the defense. Despite his size, he's quick enough to beat man coverage underneath and plays with good recognition of holes in coverage. He has the ball skills and toughness to win con- tested catches and withstand punishing contact. He's very capable as a lead/move blocker but will need a little improvement at sustaining blocks when blocking in-line. Warren can access all three levels of the field but is best served short and intermediate. He possesses elite football character and plays with a confidence that can be contagious. He has a chance to become one of the best tight ends in the league." — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com "Warren is a force with the football in his hands, as his power helped him to 700 yards after the catch, third most in the FBS. He brushes off tacklers with ease, plays with great vision and shows sure hands on the tape. He's a huge factor as a blocker, too." — Field Yates, ESPN.com Warren tied an FBS record for tight ends when he caught 17 passes in Penn State's 33-30 overtime victory over USC in October. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL