Penn State’s reputation for developing tight ends has quietly become one of the program’s most consistent strengths. Over the past decade, the position has produced versatile, physical, and NFL-ready talent year after year. The 2025 group might not have a clear-cut star yet, but it doesn’t lack ability. With a veteran at the top, two dynamic sophomores rising fast, and a wave of young talent gaining ground, this unit is built to once again play a central role in Penn State’s offensive identity.
Experience Leads a Deep, Versatile Group
With 2024 Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren now in the NFL, Penn State’s tight end room is entering a new chapter that emphasizes depth over known star power. The 2025 version may not have a single feature name yet, but it offers a healthy blend of maturity, athletic upside, and schematic flexibility.
Veteran Khalil Dinkins now steps into the lead role. He’s not a stat-sheet filler, but his value is clear on tape. In the run game, he anchors the edge with clean footwork and strong hands. His base stays steady, and he consistently wins leverage against defensive ends and overhangs. As a pass catcher, Dinkins excels in short-area routes—option, stick, and flat concepts, where timing and trust matter most. Expect offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to continue using him as a stabilizing presence in both the pass game and protection schemes.
Reynolds and Rappleyea Provide Explosive Mismatch Potential
Sophomore Luke Reynolds is one of the most intriguing breakout candidates in the entire program. He saw action in every game as a true freshman and flashed early signs of what’s to come. On film, he displays rare control for a young player. Reynolds’ pad level dips seamlessly in and out of cuts, and his ability to separate at the top of his stem is already advanced. Reynolds’ body control when adjusting to off-target throws is a major strength. Whether he’s slipping past safeties on seam routes or settling between zones, he shows a clear feel. That fake punt dash against Minnesota? That wasn’t a trick play—it was a preview.
Andrew Rappleyea, back from an early 2024 injury, is just as dynamic. He only saw game action in Week 1 before being sidelined for the rest of the season, but the flashes were enough to get excited about. He’s a glider in space. On film, he pops off the screen with smooth acceleration and sharp route detail. His get-off against the press is efficient, and he keeps defenders guessing with subtle shoulder rolls and head movement. When the ball is in the air, he competes like a wideout, attacking the catch point without hesitation.
Even on limited tape, he shows real promise as a run blocker. He plays with visible strength at the point of attack and demonstrates a solid understanding of leverage angles and assignment execution. Rappleyea is healthy, confident, and pushing for a significant role. Expect to see him used frequently on third down and in red zone bunch sets.
Depth Options Add Flexibility and Long-Term Firepower
While the top three are likely locked in, Joey Schlaffer and Andrew Olesh remain long-term names to track. Schlaffer saw just 14 total snaps in 2024, so there’s limited live game film to evaluate. But based on his physical profile and high school tape. His role this fall will likely be focused on special teams and rotational reps in heavier personnel packages as he continues to develop.
Olesh, a former top-three national recruit at tight end, enrolled early and showed glimpses this spring. He arrived at Penn State around 210 pounds but is already up to 226 pounds on the official roster, signaling early buy-in to the strength program. His ball skills and fluidity make him a natural pass catcher. He tracks the ball well in traffic and doesn’t flinch through contact. While his blocking still needs refinement before he earns consistent snaps, he has the upside to follow a similar arc to Reynolds in 2024. If his physical development continues, he could push for a bigger role by midseason.
True freshman Brian Kortovich adds another developmental option. He may not factor into the rotation yet, but his frame and competitive edge provide long-term intrigue. With Ty Howle’s track record of turning raw talent into reliable contributors, Kortovich lands in one of the best spots in the country to grow his game.
Ty Howle’s Coaching Model Keeps Producing
Position coach Ty Howle remains one of the most quietly successful developers in the Big Ten. Since taking over the room in 2021, his players have consistently produced, both statistically and on NFL draft boards. Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson, and Warren all grew under his direction. What stands out on tape is how polished even the younger tight ends look. Younger players already show the hallmarks of a well-coached group: sound technique, physicality in blocking, and clear execution before the snap.
That same level of detail now applies to young players like Olesh, Schlaffer, and Kortovich. While there’s no live game tape on Olesh or Kortovich and only limited reps from Schlaffer, the expectation is that all three are progressing behind the scenes. Under Howle, tight ends are consistently well-prepared for spot duty, special packages, and assignment-specific roles. That development curve has become a hallmark of the room’s success.
A New Look with the Same Standard of Execution
The Nittany Lions are expected to lean heavily on this group again in 2025. Dinkins offers consistent leadership and blocking versatility. Reynolds and Rappleyea will stretch defenses vertically and challenge mismatches. Schlaffer gives them flexibility in 12- and 13-personnel groupings. And Olesh, if he continues developing, could be a midseason surprise.
Kotelnicki has shown a clear preference for tight end-heavy formations, and he now has the bodies and skill types to vary looks without changing personnel. This isn’t a one-man show. This room functions as an extension of the quarterback, the run game, the re-tooled receiver group, and the red zone attack.
Penn State’s 2025 tight end room isn’t starting over. It’s evolving. Some pieces are different, but the impact could be just as powerful. Between the veteran reliability, explosive second-year talent, and a deep bench of emerging players, this position group has the chance to be a key driver of Penn State’s playoff push. Under Howle’s guidance, the room remains as stable and productive as any in the country.
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