Penn State tight ends provide safety blanket for Drew Allar

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Reliability.

It’s a rare aspect of college football not many quarterbacks get to experience in their collegiate careers.

For Drew Allar, the norm is a bit as he has not one, but two targets he can lean on at the tight end position.

When the Nittany Lions got down in the red zone on Saturday, Allar looked to his all-reliable weapons in Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson to make a play.

“They’ve done a great job of being very consistent,” Allar said. “They’re the same guys in the building every day, and you know what you’re gonna get from them.”

The two juniors have been utilized in different ways for the start of 2023, as Warren leads the team in receiving touchdowns, four, while Johnson was utilized in the blocking game.

Against UMass, however, Mike Yurcich dialed up Johnson’s participation in the air attack for the Ontario native to help Penn State grab a win off the bye week.

“It was really great to get involved,” Johnson said. “We always knew that we were capable of it. It’s just a good feeling to know that we can add value to this team, this offense and we’re just hoping to continue to build.”

Allar and Johnson connected four times for 66 yards and two touchdowns throughout three-quarters of action. Johnson’s two end-zone trips were the first of the season, which tied his career-high of most touchdown receptions in a single game.

“To be able to connect with Theo for the first time this year to get him into the endzone was really good,” Allar said. “I really wanted that for him just because of all the things he brings to the table for us.”

With Warren grabbing the first passing touchdown in the second quarter and Johnson following him up with two more in the third. All of Allar’s passing touchdowns went into the arms of his tight ends.

“I think that’s another thing that’s been a real positive for Drew is having these big targets to go to,” James Franklin said. “They are very consistent guys, very dependable guys and also have the ability to be explosive.”

The duo and young quarterback have been at this for months, which led to the type of night they had on the field against UMass.

As the blue and white improve to 6-0 and face one of its toughest opponents of the season in No. 3 Ohio State, Allar will look to count on his big targets to put points on the board.

“The way they wanted to throw every day and work every day, no matter if it was on air or if it was going against the defense and seven on seven,” Allar said. “I think that’s when the relationship really started to come into fruition and flourish.”

Micheal Bolger is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mpb6233@psu.edu.