Penn State assistant Ty Howle talks Andrew Rappleyea, tight end play so far, and more

Penn State co-offensive coordinator Ty Howle was on the line with reporters on Thursday to discuss the play of his veteran tight ends, a pair of freshmen in his position room, and more. He has so far been happy with the overall work of his unit throughout the Lions’ 7-1 start ahead of Saturday’s trip to 5-3 Maryland (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS).

“I think they’ve played pretty well,” Howle said. “They’ve been able to give us flexibility in our offense through their ability to do a ton of different jobs, from being split out to being in tight in the run game and protecting and being red zone threats for us. A big thing is being physical in blocking. And, they’ve shown they can to do that and mix it up and be extensions in the pass game.

“I’ve been pleased with how they’re playing. We can continue to get better in a lot of different aspects and that’s the goal every day. I’ve been happy with the way they’ve approached the season. They work their tails off on and off the field. I just want to keep making sure they continue to grow as well.”

Penn State coach Ty Howle on Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren

Penn State, as it has often been over the last few years, is led by a pair of veterans at tight end. Junior Tyler Warren leads the Lions overall in the receiving game with five touchdown receptions. He also has 19 catches for 165 yards. Classmate Theo Johnson, meanwhile, has tallied 20 receptions for 227 yards and three touchdowns. The latter is particularly dangerous because of his size.

“I think it opens some things up,” Howle said of Johnson. “One of his best attributes is his speed and the way he can run up and down the field. He made a big-time play last week. Coach [Mike] Yurcich talks it all the time with the quarterbacks, especially with those big bodies in the red zone, let those guys go up and touch it. He brings an ability to stretch things vertically but also in the red zone. People pay a lot of attention to him when he’s out there and that opens things up.”

Warren, in particular, has been dangerous in the red zone, which is a big part of his touchdown total to date.

“I think one of the things Tyler has a good feel for is space,” Howle said. “He has good spatial awareness and how to get open and being able to read a defender’s body language. Also, one of the things with him being a [former] quarterback is, he understands timing, depth, and spacing.

“Touchdowns are all about timing, depth, and spacing, and he’s consistently on the same page with the quarterbacks. The physical gifts he has, being a big target, and that competitiveness of going up and attacking the ball [helps], but a lot of it goes back to his football IQ as well.”

Howle talks a pair of Class of 2023 signees

Penn State brought two tight ends in during the last recruiting cycle. We’ll cover Andrew Rappleyea first. The former four-star did not arrive until after spring practice. But, he came in physically prepared and has suited upf or two games so far.

“He’s done a really nice job,” Howle said. “A guy that came in, working really hard during the spring, came in and had good size, and for him it’s been learning the playbook and he’s done a fantastic job with that. He’s very physical and gifted in the pass game. It’s been good to be around those older guys and pick their brains. It’s been a huge value for him to be around those guys and see how they approach the game and study.

“He’s done some really good things on the practice field and when he’s gotten in there this year he’s played well. I’m excited for his future. He works at it, loves football, and that’s been a big piece, and will continue to be a big piece for his future.”

More: Penn State redshirt report: Which Nittany Lion freshman is one game away from using a year of eligibility?

The other signee is former four-star Joey Schlaffer. He did arrive for spring practice but is on track to redshirt, too, and has yet to see any game action.

“Like a lot of freshmen, when you put them into the Big Ten, you’re 17 or 18 and competing against guys who are 23,” Howle said. “The biggest piece for him to make strides on is physically. That’s a big piece of it, continuing to gain weight. He’s really shown a natural ability to go up and get the football and do some things in the passing game.

“He continues to get better at run blocking and that’s a piece for tight ends that always takes a little bit longer for guys who primarily played receiver in high school. He works at it. And, he’s done a nice job. He’ll continue to fill out and get stronger and bigger and be on the track we need him to be on.”