If Penn State football has been known for one position over the past decade, it’s tight end.

Since the mid-2010s, the Nittany Lions have consistently brought in quality tight end talent. Names like Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, and Tyler Warren have dominated opposing defenses and built upon their college success, moving on to strong NFL careers.

Yet with all of that history at the position, the 2026 edition of Penn State might have the best all-around tight end room its had in years.

The problem? It’s not being used.

Benjamin Brahmer, Andrew Rappleyea, and Gabe Burkle are the team’s top-three tight ends, and two of the three (Brahmer and Burkle) were named to the John Mackey Award watch list this preseason.

Expectations were high for this group, as some even tout them as the best tight end room in the nation. 

What have they shown for it, you ask? 

A combined 16 catches for 184 yards and four touchdowns through four games.

Those numbers are okay on their own, but the stat line is deceiving when Brahmer accounts for 69% of the catches, 72% of the yards, and 75% of the touchdowns.

Rappleyea has had some red zone usage, catching a touchdown against Buffalo, but seldom has targets in any other spot on the field.

Burkle, one of the projected top tight ends in college football, has one measly four-yard catch. 

This isn’t the tight end’s fault either. They just simply aren’t being schemed to get the ball. 

When Koby Howard was healthy and the Nittany Lions were playing inferior opponents, Penn State’s offense did not seem to struggle with the lack of production from the tight ends. 

But as many saw in Penn State’s loss to Wisconsin, the passing offense couldn’t get anything going against a Big Ten defense.

Quarterback Rocco Becht completed just 41% of his passes and looked rattled when throwing deep. Becht has connected on some great throws downfield this season, so the talent is there; he just needs to stay composed under increased pressure.

How can Penn State get Becht in rhythm so he has the confidence to hit those deep balls late in the game? Maybe the solution is to utilize the three elite tight ends.

Give Becht some short, middle-of-the-field zone beaters early in the game. That, combined with running more 12 or 13 personnel, can get these tight ends open in the flats.

These guys are matchup nightmares for linebackers and can steamroll through defensive backs, so it would probably be a good idea to get the ball in their hands.

Completing a pass does wonders for a quarterback’s mojo, and the Nittany Lions tight ends have the skill to turn short passes into longer plays with their run-after-the-catch ability.

A consistent passing game can also make defenses respect the pass. Opposing defenses won’t blitz as often if Becht hits his passes, especially short, quick throws to tight ends.

A lower blitz rate can create gaps for the running backs to exploit, further improving offensive capabilities.

The tight ends can provide a foundation for the Nittany Lion offense. If offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Taylor Mouser can employ them effectively, they could be the key to unlocking the entire team.