Penn State fans didn’t have to wait long to see one of their own make an impact at the next level.
Tyler Warren, the Indianapolis Colts’ No. 14 overall pick, looked nothing like a first-year player in Sunday’s 33–8 win over the Miami Dolphins, catching 7 passes for 76 yards, rushing for a first down, and earning Pro Football Focus’ highest rookie grade of the week (90.4).
For a player who built his reputation in Happy Valley with versatility and toughness, Warren’s Colts debut felt like a seamless continuation of his college identity—only this time, it came on the NFL stage.
Penn State Pipeline Produces Again
Penn State has been churning out NFL-ready tight ends, and Warren wasted no time putting himself in that conversation.
His 7 receptions tied for the second-most by a rookie tight end in their debut since 1970 and marked the most for a Colts rookie tight end in 39 years.
The performance highlighted traits Nittany Lion fans knew well: reliable hands, physicality in traffic, and the ability to line up anywhere on the field.
Just as he did in college, Warren blended receiving, blocking, and even rushing into a performance that looked more like a veteran’s résumé than a rookie’s first game.
Carrying College Traits to the NFL
Warren racked up 36 yards after the catch and consistently moved the chains on early downs, including three targets on the Colts’ opening drive. Head coach Shane Steichen praised his “old-school toughness,” echoing the same qualities James Franklin leaned on at Penn State.
Even Miami’s All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was drawn into coverage battles with the rookie—a rare level of attention for a first-timer. That respect only reinforced the idea that Warren’s polish translated quickly.
Measured Against Penn State Alumni
Warren’s debut also stacks up well when compared to Penn State tight ends already thriving in the NFL.
Pittsburgh’s Pat Freiermuth, a 2021 second-round pick, opened his rookie season with just one catch for 24 yards in Week 1 before blossoming into a reliable red-zone target.
Miami’s Mike Gesicki, another second-rounder, was even quieter in his first outing back in 2018, going without a catch.
By contrast, Warren’s 7-catch, 76-yard performance not only outpaced both of their introductions but set a higher bar for immediate impact.
If Freiermuth and Gesicki serve as the long-term proof that Penn State tight ends can stick in the league, Warren’s debut hints at a trajectory that could be even steeper.
A Statement Start
The Colts haven’t had this kind of tight end debut since the Dallas Clark era, and Warren’s emergence could fill a long-standing void.
For Penn State, his success is another example of the program’s tight end pipeline delivering NFL-ready playmakers who can impact games from the jump.
It’s only one week, but Warren already looks less like a rookie finding his footing and more like a difference-maker built to thrive on Sundays.