Here’s the Centredaily panel’s ranking of the top 10 Penn State tight ends of the past 25 years, led by this year’sstandout:
1. Tyler Warren – A unanimous No. 1, winning all 10 first-place votes after a historic season (record-breaking games, special plays, and national accolades)
2. Harold Fannin Jr. – Bowling Green standout who pushed the discussion, especially after impressive performances against P5 teams
3. Colston Loveland – One of the Big Ten’s most complete TEs, noted for his athleticism and production
4. Pat Freiermuth – Penn State’s breakout from 2018–20, revolutionized the position there with school records and Big Ten TE of the Year
5. Jesse James – Early-2010s phenom who broke school career touchdown records before going pro
6. Mike Gesicki – Dominant mid‑2010s TE; multiple-season Mackey Award contender with 1,481 career yards
7. Adam Breneman – Record-breaking freshman en route to becoming a top receiving TE before injuries cut his time short
8. Tony Stewart – Late ’90s/early 2000s workhorse who set the foundational standard for modern PSU TEs
9. *(Likely other notable TEs such as Evan Krape, Jared Whyle, and Grant Sigley — not widely profiled but recognized in program lore)*
10. *(Panel’s remaining pick—potentially a recent breakout or overlooked star)*
Why Tyler Warren Tops the List
Unanimous choice by the panel, fueled by record-setting performances (like 17 catches for 235 yards vs. USC and a wild snap-TD play)
National honor: Wagoned home the prestigious John Mackey Award as college football’s top TE
Described by analyst Brian Bennett as “the best tight end Penn State has ever had” due to his size, speed, contested catches, and versatility
Community Reaction
On r/CFB, fans argue Tyler Warren’s dominance was worthy, but Bowling Green’s Fannin sparked strong opinions:
He was a monster when he played us… unfortunately only one TE can win this award.”
“Fannin would have gotten it any other year… but nobody will shut up about a single play against USC.”
Panel Takeaway
The top slot was secure—Tyler Warren stands alone. But the rest fueled debate, especially regarding Fannin and Loveland’s credentials. Beyond the stats, value on big-game performances and program impact shaped panel votes.
If you’d like deeper profiles or full stats on any TE listed (or aren’t seeing someone you’d expect), let me know—I can dive in!
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