Combine: Tyler Warren On Riggo, Shockey and NFL
Penn State do-it-all tight end took to the podium in Indianapolis to address the assembled media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
NFL COMBINE Q&A: TYLER WARREN, TE, PENN STATE
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (photo: @MadelynBurke) is a potential top ten pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. He took to the combine podium in Indy to address the media, discussing a wide array of topics that varied from John Riggins, to Jeremy Shockey, Travis Kelce, George Kittle and much more. While Warren won’t be doing drills at the combine, he has met with numerous NFL teams, as he mentions below. Remember, pre-order your copy of the 2025 NFL Draft Bible with our combine sale, for in-depth scouting reports on Warren, along with over 500 draft-eligible prospects.
On the opportunity in Indy:
Yeah, it’s exciting to have the opportunity to come here to the combine and opportunity to meet with the teams and all that but being back here is nice. It’s a great stadium and I’ve enjoyed being here. So it’s awesome.
What do you bring as a tight end?
What I try and do is be a guy that can kind of fit in a lot of different roles. I don’t know if I have one that really sticks out the best. That’s kind of fun about the tight end position is you get to do a lot of different things within the offense.
Have you met with Jacksonville?
I have not met with them. Brenton [Strange] is there and I’ve heard good things from him. They’ve got a great program so it would be good to talk to them.
On Brenton Strange.
He helped me out a lot. I learned a lot, especially the physicality in the run game and the way he blocked. It’s something I looked up to. All those tight ends I’ve played with helped develop me into the tight end I am.
On whether he has been in touch with other Penn State players about the process.
I actually talked to Theo [Johnson] yesterday and Brenton talked to me, Pat [Freiermuth] has talked to me . They’re kind of there and if I have questions, I can ask them. They’re not blowing me up. They know it’s a busy time. But they’ve been a big help. If there’s ever any questions, I can call them, text them and they’re going to help me out.
What will you bring to NFL?
I think I can do a lot of different things, so whatever the offense needs from week-to-week and what they want my role to be is what I’ll do and that might change from game-to-game. I think I’m a guy that can do a lot of different things.
What type of feedback have you received from the NFL on your versatility?
Honestly, it hasn’t been anything too specific, haven’t gotten into specifics. I think we’re all on the same page. There’s a lot of different things you can do with the tight end in general.
Why do so many tight ends come out of Penn State?
Getting good players there is something we’ve always done at tight end. Ty Howle is recruiting guys and then developing guys when they are there. We’ve had a good run so far. There’s some young guys in that room now that are going to be really good. I don’t think it’s going to be going anywhere with the tight end production at Penn State.
Will you be going to Green Bay for the draft?
I’m not sure.
Have you meet with Tampa Bay?
I did meet with the Bucs yesterday. It would be cool. I played there in 2022 in the Outback Bowl, being in that stadium, in that area was really nice.
Is there anyone you pattern yourself after in NFL?
I’d say [George] Kittle and [Travis] Kelce are up there. Pat Freiermuth if I had to pick. Then I’m going with Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson in my top five.
What can you tell us about your quarterback, Drew Allar?
I actually hosted Drew when he was a recruit coming into college. He’s kind of a calm, quiet guy then he gets competitive and fire going when he’s out there playing. As an offense, we respond to that well when you see your quarterback and leader and the intensity he brings when it’s not always seen at that position. Being with him for three years and having that connection really helped us out this year, kind of trusting each other.
Have you met with Indianapolis?
I met with them yesterday as well. Like I said, I’ve been to Indy before. I like the stadium a lot and the area. Just the opportunity to have a chance to play in the NFL and . . . would be awesome.
What are your thoughts on Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson?
He’s definintely one of a kind and a heck of an athlete at the quarterback position. He’s a great quarterback, too, so that would be cool.
What would it be like to play with George Kittle?
I think that would be a great opportunity. Obviously one of the best tight ends to play football and learn from him and kind of pick up on some stuff would obviously be a great opportunity for me. They [49ers] use the tight ends in a lot of different ways. That would be a fun scheme to be able to a part of.
If you weren’t playing football, what would yo be doing?
If I wasn’t playing, I’d probably be coaching somehow. It would probably be golfing or fishing, which is what I really like to do. Maybe if I could make a career out of one of those two, I’d try them both.
Why do you wear jersey No.44?
I wear No.44 because when I was younger my dad put on John Riggins film and said, this is how I want you to run the ball. Another guy I saw this summer was Jeremy Shockey and the way he kind of played and his mentality running the ball, something I kind of liked and tried to do a little bit this year.
What separates you from this tight end class?
I’m not really focused on trying to be better than other people. Just trying to be the best tight end I can be and I think that’s what has helped me do whatever’s needed within the offense. That’s what I focus on. I try to get good at a lot of different things in a lot of different roles.
Do you have a preference, blocking or receiving?
It’s really been both. Obviously being a tight end if you want to be a really good one, you’re going to have to do both. You can’t just go out and catch passes and can’t just be a run blocker at that spot. That’s the point I’ve been trying to get across when I’ve met with teams.
On when he started being a backfield player.
Part of it goes back to when I started playing football at a young age and I’m carrying the ball. Playing a lot of different sports, just get the movements you’re used to. The thing you really learn is ball security when you get to go work with the running backs and the running backs coach taking it seriously.
When was NFL and combine a realistic goal for you?
When I first started playing football, it was something I wanted to do, obviously what my goal was. Getting to college, obviously I wasn’t too sure my first year. I had a little bit of growth to do from the physical aspect of it. By the middle of college, when the coaches sat me down and said I would have an opportunity, what that would look like, I still had a few more years. I kind of realized I might have a chance to actually extend my career and have the opportunity to play in the NFL.
Back in the day, Indy had a great tight end wearing No.44 in Dallas Clark.
Growing up I knew the name and knew him playing with Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and those guys. That’s a good example to have the No.44 tight end. He’s a great player.
What did your toughest workout at Penn State consist of?
It was probably one of our summer workouts where we have a big leg day, go out and run a conditioning test then we go to the hills and run some hills and come back in and do sled pushing across the field. I think it was Thursdays.
What is your lasting impression of Coach [James] Franklin?
He’s obviously a great coach and has had a lot of success. But also if I was stranded on the side of the road at midnight trying to make a trip and I called him, I know he’d come to pick me up, he’d answer his phone. I know with football he’s going to set me up but he’s going to make me a better person . . . he’s got my back.
Did you meet with New England?
I didn’t meet the Patriots. They’re a great program with a lot of history.
You won’t be working out at the combine. When is your pro day?
The pro day, I’m not sure exactly what it will look like yet.
What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome to become a first-round prospect?
When I got to Penn State I wasn’t a fully developed tight end yet. I had to wait my turn and learn from the guys in front of me, understanding I was not at the point I needed to be in order to play and contribute and trusting the process. Everybody’s looks different. Mine took a few years until I got into the flow of college football. But Theo [Johnson] came in when he was playing his freshman year we had a great relationship. All around college you’re going to see guys play right away and see guys take a few years before they really get rolling.
Did you notice the success Brock Bowers had this season?
He did a lot of good stuff this year and he’s a great example just to learn from and see how he plays the game. It is a great example to look at and it was awesome to see him to that this year.
What is your relationship with Theo Johnson like?
We have some similarities and we have some differences. Theo is as athletic a tight end as you’ll find, runs really great routes and is really a fast guy. He might be a little higher up on that scale and I do a little more of everything. He helped me out and I can’t say enough good things about what he’s meant to me through my process.
Do you have a memorable moment from Penn State you can share?
I don’t know if there’s just one that sticks out. We play all the games but it’s the relationships that I build. When I do get a chance to go back to Penn State I’m excited to see the guys that I played with last year. Those relationships you build for one or two years, last you the rest of your life.
What is it that you admire about George Kittle?
Kittle is a great example. He does everything pretty well, run after the catch, blocking, run, route running. I think he is a good one to watch and take some stuff off his game.
Have you met with Cincinnati?
Met with the Bengals on Tuesday.
What is one area of your game you worked to improve on?
Going into this season, the run after the catch was something I wanted to be better at, that I could improve on. I think feel like I did a good job.
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