Was it ever in doubt?

Penn State football tight end Tyler Warren was named the winner of the John Mackey Award on Thursday night. The award is given to the nation’s best tight end.

Warren is having the best year of his collegiate career, with 88 receptions, 1,062 yards, and six touchdowns through the air to go along with 191 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Warren’s 17 career receiving touchdowns are the most by a tight end in Penn State history.

Warren shone repeatedly throughout Penn State’s season, but his performance against USC stood out among all competitions and put him on the map nationally. Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards for one touchdown. On that touchdown play, he snapped the ball to Beau Pribula before taking off downfield and catching a touchdown pass over a USC defensive back from Drew Allar.

Warren is expected to return to action on Saturday, December 21, when the Nittany Lions face SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.