James Franklin confirms Luke Reynolds has green light to burn redshirt

Penn State true freshman tight end Luke Reynolds has logged 33 offensive snaps through two games this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He was in for 12 snaps at West Virginia and 21 more against Bowling Green in Week 2.

And now, according to head coach James Franklin, Reynolds has the green light to burn his redshirt.

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“Luke has been transitioned to a ‘green light’ at this stage,” Franklin said Monday. “Again, these green, reds and yellows can change as things go. I think we always look at things changing in terms of moving up from red to yellow to green, but they also can go in the other direction. But Luke’s doing really well.”

Although Reynolds has tallied 14 pass snaps — including 11 receiving snaps, per PFF — he’s yet to be targeted or record a reception this season. That said, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Westford, Massachusetts, native is helping the Nittany Lions in the blocking department.

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Reynolds played his high school ball at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, where he served as a team captain last season. In 2023, he piled up 48 catches, 754 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns. Reynolds was the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 62 overall prospect and No. 4 tight end in the 2024 class.

“He showed up on campus, he was very driven and motivated to play, that is both mentally and physically,” Franklin said. “He was willing to do the things necessary to play: attack the weight room, attack summer workouts, attack the playbook. He has ability to make plays in the passing game.

“Where he’s somewhat unusual in 2024 for a tight end is he’ll also stick his nose in there. Some of these guys have never really done that at the high school level. … He’s shown a willingness and aggressiveness with that as well. So I’ve been a real big fan of Luke’s in his approach.”

Reynolds has notched the second-most offensive snaps of any Penn State tight end this season, behind only Tyler Warren, who has 101 offensive snaps to his name and leads the team with 11 receptions, 176 receiving yards. Warren notably found the end zone in the opener at WVU

“We got a ton of guys that I think could play as true freshmen, but the guys that have played, I think, are showing that they’re willing to make the type of sacrifices and commitments to actually do it,” Franklin said. “And some guys are either not physically ready to play or emotionally ready to play or mentally ready to play.

“[Luke’s] a guy that’s shown through hard work and development that he is ready to play.”