Penn State's James Franklin has high praise for tight end Tyler Warren

STATE COLLEGE — James Franklin made himself abundantly clear in his postgame news conference after Penn State’s blowout win over Kent State on Saturday.

“Tyler Warren is the best tight end in college football.”

Take note, Mackey Award voters.

Two weeks ago, Warren set a program record for receiving yards by a tight end in a single game (146 vs. Bowling Green). This week, the veteran had five catches for 50 yards in the first half, including a 16-yard touchdown and a one-handed catch. Warren, a former high school quarterback, also threw for a touchdown and had a 16-yard run out of the wildcat formation.

Warren could have left after last season for the NFL. He most likely would have been one of the top tight ends off the board after Georgia star and first-round pick Brock Bowers. Instead, the Nittany Lions are greatly benefiting from his decision to return for one more year.

“The tight end position isn’t supposed to be about receiving yards,” Franklin added. “It’s about complete players.”

Since 2000, the Mackey Award has gone to the best tight end in college football. Penn State has never had a winner.

Welcome to the party, Liam Clifford

Throughout the preseason, Franklin made sure to highlight two wide receivers as clear-cut practice standouts: Liam Clifford and Harrison Wallace III.

Wallace showed what he can do with Drew Allar in Penn State’s new offense, securing two touchdowns and racking up 117 yards against West Virginia in Week 1. But through two games, Clifford didn’t have a target to his name, let alone a catch or a touchdown.

Clifford changed that against Kent State. The fourth-year receiver and younger brother of Sean Clifford caught all three of his targets for 64 yards. Late in the second quarter, Clifford hauled in a 38-yard deep ball from Allar. He finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown, the first of his collegiate career. It was a moment Clifford celebrated, and so did his teammates.

“I was super happy because he’s one of the most consistent guys on our team with his preparation throughout the week with the way he practices,” Allar said. “For it to finally pay off in a game this year is huge. And I think that’s going to be huge going in this part of the season where it starts to become a grind. … Liam’s done a great job.”

Added receiver Julian Fleming: “When I came in (transferred from Ohio State), he was very welcoming. He was always catching with me, putting in the extra work. We have a great relationship. I didn’t know that was his first touchdown in his career. Experiencing that with him, that was amazing.”

Dependable deep threat

Omari Evans has speed to burn, and Penn State is using it. Evans, the redshirt sophomore receiver, had his first career 100-yard game, securing four catches for 116 yards against the Golden Flashes. The highlight? A 59-yard touchdown strike from Allar.

Evans was an afterthought in last year’s offense directed by Mike Yurcich, with one catch for 4 yards in the first 10 games of the 2023 season. Since then, Evans’ role has expanded.

In Penn State’s past five games — two called by interim OCs and the most recent three managed by new coordinator Andy Kotelnicki — Evans has at least one catch of 25-plus yards. For an offense that struggled to push it downfield last year, Evans has been a revelation.

“Omari has shown flashes. But it’s about consistency, and he’s practicing more consistently,” Franklin said. “He’s competing more consistently. He’s gaining confidence. And if he has some success, his career could go through the roof. You’re starting to see it.”

Wallace injury impact

Saturday was primed to be a day for the backups, especially Cam Wallace, the team’s lightly used third-string running back. It was important for Wallace, who is firmly stuck behind Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen on the depth chart, to get some run against Kent State. After all, there’s a chance the redshirt freshman will be Penn State’s starting tailback next year.

Wallace was effective in the second half. He rushed nine times for 39 yards and a touchdown. But on his ninth and final carry, Wallace suffered what looked like a lower-body injury. He was helped to his feet by trainers and needed the support of teammates to hobble off the field.

If Wallace has to miss a significant amount of time, it won’t be that big of an issue as long as Singleton and Allen stay healthy. If either picks up an injury, running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider will have to turn to a true freshman, Quinton Martin (Belle Vernon) or Corey Smith, for help.