The memory lingered in Luke Reynolds’ mind for weeks. How could it not? His perfectly executed fake-punt rush all but iced a 26-25 victory at Minnesota, putting Penn State just another win away from the College Football Playoff. And he did it as a true freshman. It was as if a dream unfolded in front of his eyes, and replayed itself within his subconscious each day after.
There are many plays that define a football season, but it’s difficult to find many others for the Nittany Lions more significant than Reynolds’ 32-yard rush against the Golden Gophers. It established the path that became two playoff wins, a trip to the Orange Bowl and a beaming light positioned toward a new season with national championship aspirations.
Reynolds doesn’t think about that play so much these days. He’s become fully immersed in the present, in preparing for one of Penn State’s most anticipated seasons in recent memory, in filling the shoes of All-American tight end Tyler Warren. Reynolds doesn’t feel pressured as Warren’s successor. If anything, he appears remarkably confident.
“I would say it’s excitement,” Reynolds said last week. “A lot of great records that he broke. He was a terrific player, and just being able to assume the same position as him and go out on the field and represent the tight end group, that’s something that’s gonna be really exciting for me.”
Reynolds has already grown his hair out like Warren. His weight, currently 250 pounds, just about matches Warren’s in his second season with the Nittany Lions. Reynolds, like Warren, played quarterback in high school. He also punted, something Warren briefly dabbled in last season. Reynolds’ hands are sure as ever and his blocking is rapidly developing.
“I’d say the biggest place he’s grown up is as a blocker. He’s always had the talent as a receiver,” Penn State backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer said. “Just watching him in routes now, he looks like a first-round NFL pick on the receiving end, and his growth in the run game has been really impressive, as well. I’m really excited for his future.”
Reynolds perfectly fits the Warren mold in many ways. The two come from similar positional backgrounds, although Reynolds was more highly touted as a tight end recruit out of high school. And, most of all, Reynolds and Warren align in terms of versatility and the difficult task for some in nodding their heads in agreement with requests from their offensive coordinator.
Andy Kotelnicki asked much of Warren last season. He was the heart and soul of the Nittany Lions’ offense, serving as the team’s leading receiver and third-leading rusher. Warren threw a touchdown pass. He also snapped a ball and caught a touchdown on the same sequence. And it all paid off for Warren, who is a projected first-round NFL Draft selection.
Warren’s way of opportunity and the success that follows is all Reynolds knows. So, naturally, he’s an open book when it comes to Kotelnicki scripting wacky schemes around him. And it likely helps that Reynolds has a recent history throwing the ball, which would make a potential crossover with quarterbacks coach Danny O’Brien that much simpler.
“If he calls me to, I’m willing to do anything for the team, and that will help me get on the field more. So, if there’s any of those opportunities, I’m definitely gonna take it,” Reynolds said. “And, obviously, I haven’t really warmed the shoulder up that much, but hopefully I can go with Coach O’Brien if they want me to pass and work with some of the linemen.”
The process of succeeding Warren isn’t Reynolds’ responsibility alone. He’s just a key piece in what is again expected to be one of the nation’s deepest tight end corps. Khalil Dinkins, ahead of his fifth year of eligibility, now takes sole position as the room’s most experienced veteran. He’ll lead a group that includes Reynolds, freshman Andrew Olesh and rehabbing third-year Andrew Rappleyea.
The goal this offseason is the same for all four tight ends. They understand the responsibility that comes with playing this particular position on a team that relies so heavily on its production. There may be no replacing Warren, but Reynolds is set to give it his best shot. He’ll carry a singular mindset through winter workouts as he continues to build into the Nittany Lions’ next great tight end.
“Bigger, stronger, faster,” Reynolds said.
