Penn State star Tyler Warren is the first tight end to be named a Paul Hornung Award finalist in its history
Penn State star Tyler Warren may not make history by becoming the first tight end to ever win the Paul Hornung Award, which goes annually to the nation’s most versatile player. But, he’s already done something no college football player before him has ever accomplished: He’s on the list of finalists. He is the first tight end in the award’s history to make it, which dates back to 2010.
The Nittany Lion is one of three players vying for the honor. Colorado two-star Travis Hunter is also in the running and is the likely winner. Louisville running back and return specialist Isaac Brown rounds out the trio of finalists. Regardless of the outcome, Warren’s inclusion on the list is the latest recognition of his stellar season in State College. You already know all about it, but in case you forgot a detail, we’ll refresh your memory with his Hornung Award finalist bio:
“Primarily a tight end, Tyler Warren also lines up at wingback, fullback, slot, halfback, wide receiver, wildcat quarterback and long snapper in a center-eligible formation and has accounted for touchdowns receiving, rushing and passing. He had a game for the ages in Penn State’s 33-30 road win over USC: he touched the ball 19 times three different ways for 237 total yards; tied an FCS record for a tight end with 17 receptions for 227 yards, including a scoring catch where he lined up as center eligible and snapped to the shotgun quarterback; carried the ball for a first down and completed a pass from the wildcat quarterback position.
“Against Kent State, he caught five passes for 50 yards and a score, threw a 17-yard touchdown pass and had one carry for 17 yards after faking a pass.”
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Warren is also a semifinalist for the Mackey Award. It goes to the nation’s top tight end. That field has been whittled to eight. But it feels like a two-man race between the Nittany Lion and Bowling Green standout Harold Fannin Jr. The Falcon outpaces the Penn State star from a statistical perspective, owning a 73-51 edge in receptions and a 1,033-606 advantage in receiving yards. But, there is no tight end who does as much as Warren does. That does not make him a shoo-in for the honor. But, it makes him a heavy favorite to win it as the regular season hits the home stretch.
“It is very cool to be on that list with some other great tight end,” Warren said this week. “Being able to play tight end at Penn State is a really cool thing that not many people get to do. So, that’s something I take a lot of pride in.”
“Like I always say, I’m trying to be the best tight end. And, make sure the offense is working as well as it can be. I think that’s kind of how we all think of it in our tight end room. And, if the other stuff comes with it, that happens. But, I’m just focused on being the best version of myself and doing whatever I can to help our offense.”
