Penn State star Tyler Warren will face his toughest test yet vs. Notre Dame in CFP Orange Bowl

Tyler Warren s transcendent season has propelled Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

He has set program and Big Ten records.

Hes made highlight reel plays.

He ran away with the Mackey Award, given to the most outstanding tight end in college football.

Without Warren, the Nittany Lions wouldnt be one win away from playing for the national title.

But in order for them to get there, Warren will have to pass arguably his toughest test yet.

Notre Dame has been terrific against tight ends all season long.

In 14 games, the Fighting Irish have not given up a touchdown to a tight end.

Notre Dame has allowed just a 46.1 passer rating when a tight end was targeted, the second-best in the FBS, per Pro Football Focus .

The Irish have surrendered only 30 catches for 293 yards to tight ends (20.9 yards per game).

In short, Warren Penn State s top weapon in the passing game and the best tight end in college football has his work cut out for him in Thursdays Orange Bowl.

Thats what playoff football is all about, Warren said when asked about facing the Irish.

Playing this late in the year, you get the chance to play really good players and really good teams.

They have a great secondary, so we know itll be a challenge for us.

And more specifically, it will be a challenge for Warren his tallest task since the Ohio State game.

The Buckeyes did a good job of limiting Warrens impact by implementing bracket coverage.

Ohio State safeties Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom, as well as linebacker Cody Simon, held Warren to four catches for 47 yards and zero touchdowns.

For reference, Ohio States pass defense currently ranks first among 134 teams in the FBS, allowing 152.4 passing yards per game.

Notre Dame ranks fifth (167.4).

Notre Dame has the closest thing Penn State will see to Downs in safety Xavier Watts, an All-American and one of the top defensive backs in college football.

But its been the Irishs other safety, Adon Shuler, who has primarily covered tight ends, allowing Watts to roam.

Shuler has posted an 89.2 coverage grade against tight ends, per PFF.

The 6-foot, 200-pound redshirt freshman has allowed only 50% of targets to be caught by tight ends this season.

But for as good as Notre Dame has been against tight ends, lets not forget that the Irish havent faced Warren yet.

ESPN has the Penn State star ranked as the No.

16 overall prospect in the 2025 NFL draft for a reason.

Hes versatile, dangerous and darn near impossible to stop.

Warren, he is one of the best players in college football, period, regardless of position based on the film Ive seen of him, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said .

Warren has secured 98 catches for 1,158 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

He set single-season receptions records for any Penn State player and by a Big Ten tight end.

His yardage is the most ever by a Penn State or Big Ten tight end.

And his versatility has been crucial, contributing 197 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Warren has been by far and away Drew Allar s No.

1 option during this CFP run.

In 15 games, the veteran has been targeted 128 times.

In Penn States CFP quarterfinal win over Boise State, Warren hauled in six catches for 63 yards and two acrobatic touchdowns.

Against Notre Dames heavy man coverage, Allar and the Nittany Lions will need their wide receivers Harrison Wallace III, Omari Evans, etc.

to step up.

But as always, Allar will be looking Warrens way more often than not.

Notre Dames defense will pose the ultimate test.

The Irish are going to challenge offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to find unique ways to get Warren involved.

But really, its going to come down to Allar putting the ball where it needs to be and Warren making plays.

Whether or not they can do that whether or not Warren can make his presence felt in the Orange Bowl will determine if the Nittany Lions play for the national championship.

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