Tyler Warren is “the model of a Penn State football player” according to head coach James Franklin. In this breakdown, we’ll explore how Warren stacks up as a prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tyler Warren Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’6”
- Weight: 261
- Position: Tight End
- School: Penn State
- Current Year: Senior (5 Years)
Tyler Warren’s Scouting Report A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Warren was a standout prospect for Atlee High School, epitomizing the term “athlete.” He dominated nearly every position on the football field, often looking like a man among boys. A three-time team captain and all-region selection, he earned All-State honors twice—once as a punter—while ESPN rated him a four-star recruit.
His athleticism extended beyond football, as he was also a three-time All-Region basketball player and a Virginia All-State baseball selection. Warren initially committed to Virginia Tech as a quarterback during his junior year, but his recruitment took a turn that winter. As coaches watched him move and dominate on the basketball court, they gained a greater appreciation for his athleticism and power, realizing he had the potential to transition to another position.
With blue-blood programs like Penn State, Clemson, and Alabama continuing to pursue him, Warren began focusing on his future as a tight end and ultimately reopened his recruitment. Two months later, he committed to the Nittany Lions. Warren arrived in Happy Valley in August 2020, seeing action in two games as a freshman.
Over the next three seasons, he became a steady contributor in a loaded tight end room that featured Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, and Theo Johnson—all of whom are now in the NFL. Despite playing a backup role in 2023, he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors, foreshadowing what would come.
In 2024, Warren started all 16 games, helping lead Penn State to a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. He finished second in the FBS in receptions and seventh in receiving yards, earning First-Team All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America and Second-Team recognition from CSN. By the end of his collegiate career, he had appeared in 56 games.
Strengths
- Incredibly versatile. Can play every skill position on offense.
- Elite frame.
- High football IQ. Former quarterback.
- Physical and relentless player.
- Unselfish. Played his role to the best of his ability until it was his starting job as a fifth-year senior.
- Incredibly tough.
- Elite body control.
- Soft, natural, and strong hands. They swallow the football.
- Can catch comfortably in any body position. Good catch radius.
- The basketball player in him shows. He has no problem climbing the ladder and playing above the rim. Absolute monster.
- Elite in the contested catch. Goes up strong for the football. Powerful at all times on the field.
- Gritty player. Willing to do whatever you ask.
- Adequate route runner.
- Elite at using his body to create space and play with leverage.
- Understands play tempo. Cool as can be.
- Powerful runner after the catch.
- Dynamic playmaker.
- Good blocker in the run game. Blocks with great effort. Often good hand placement, active feet, and drives through defenders.
- He can base block and secure the backside, control the block at the point of attack, or solidify the perimeter. He’s a jack of all trades.
Weaknesses
- Some concentration drops.
- May lack top-end speed.
- Lateral quickness and explosion in and out of breaks to create separation.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Warren is a blue-chip prospect who does everything exceptionally well. He is a fearless competitor, dominant in the run game, and a physical yet savvy receiver with dangerous run-after-the-catch potential. A dominant and instinctive playmaker and his positional versatility makes him a weapon on all three downs, adding to his value at the next level.
As a receiver, Warren offers versatility, capable of lining up in-line or split wide. He’s a natural pass-catcher with strong hands, a wide catch radius, and a knack for making every ball his. He high-points the football exceptionally well and thrives in contested catch situations. He plays strong and navigates the middle of the field with ease and uses his body to create leverage and separation.
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In addition to being a playmaker on the perimeter, Warren is a physical presence in the run game and a willing blocker. He has the ability to maintain leverage and dominate in space on the perimeter and has the size, power, and strength to play in line and be a force at the point of attack. His ability as a ball carrier is worth highlighting as well. Beyond being a dominant receiving threat, Warren brings a physical, downhill running style, thanks to his experience as both a running back and option quarterback.
His punishing yet savvy ball-carrying ability creates additional creative opportunities as demonstrated by Penn State’s offense led by Andy Kotelnicki. While he’s a solid route runner, his biggest area for growth lies in refining his ability to get in and out of breaks quickly and improving his top-end speed. That said, for his position, he’s already an elite prospect.
Nobody expects him to be as smooth as Justin Jefferson or as fast as Xavier Worthy, and these traits shouldn’t impact his draft stock or present any issues in the pre-draft process. Warren won’t have to wait too long on draft night to hear his name called. He currently projects to be a top-15 pick. He could be selected as early as fifth overall by Jacksonville and seemingly shouldn’t drop past Indianapolis at pick 14. A bona fide blue-chip prospect, whoever selects Warren will undoubtedly be thrilled with their choice
