Penn State Nittany Lions College Football Pregame Quote, 12/29/2024

Q. Slightly different weather than we saw for you guys a week and a half ago. Do you prefer a dome and easy conditions versus knowing when you have the edge in the snow?

TYLER WARREN: I think most people would probably say they wouldn’t mind playing in a dome and 70 degree weather. That would be cool to get out of the cold for a little bit.

Q. I want to take it back to your high school days. Your recruiting journey is awesome, a three-sport athlete and all that. I see so much specialization at the high school level now, and I think it does a disservice to athletes. For your case, why do you think it was important to be a multisport athlete to get to where you are today?

TYLER WARREN: For me, that’s how I grew up. When I was playing, I wasn’t ready to give up the other sports through high school. I knew when I got to high school, I would have to give them up. I was going to play them as long as I could.

And also, the different movements and different sports are only going to help you. It’s not going to make it worse for you as an athlete.

Doing different stuff, we have done different things as tight ends. I would tell anybody to play as many sports as long as they can because, one, it’s fun and I have great memories from that; and two, it will help you out.

Q. The second question is very simple. What is your favorite part about playing the tight end position?

TYLER WARREN: I think it is we don’t have one specific job. We can block all game and run routes and do a bunch of different stuff. That’s the fun part about playing it. Filling the different needs of the offense from week to week. And the tight end room loves doing that.

Q. How do you balance all of this and the specialness of going to a bowl game and playing in a playoff bowl and staying locked and trying to win a championship?

TYLER WARREN: It starts with the team understanding. We’re playing for a championship and trusting our process and doing what we have been doing all year from the game preparation standpoint. Just trusting that and keeping that the same.

Q. You talk about playing multiple sports growing up, trying to get to this stage and what could be next. How do you enjoy all of that? What’s going on right now, and what could be to come next year?

TYLER WARREN: Just take it day-by-day and understand it’s if you look at that point, I will enjoy the time with my teammates and not take it for granted. It’s gone by fast, so just enjoying it.

Q. What were your impressions of Arizona when you touched down?

TYLER WARREN: It’s a lot nicer and about 70 degrees. It was 20 or 30 degrees when we left State College. So, it’s nice to be out here.

Q. You seem like a different dude on the field than off the field. Is that easy to, whatever it is, flip that switch or whatever? Why is your personality so different?

TYLER WARREN: I mean, I think that’s kind of football players in general. Obviously, some guys have the same personality on the field, but it’s just different.

I try to treat everybody with respect and treat them how I want to be treated. In the game, it’s different, and that’s how we have to do things. That’s the nature of the sport. We have been doing it for a while now, kind of able to flip the switch. That’s not something too crazy.

Q. What would you say the biggest challenge is offensively?

TYLER WARREN: I think being able to establish a running game is always important. I think that will be a big part to get that going, obviously, with everything else. Honestly, I think any football game you play, it’s going to start with the run game. So that’s a big key to it.

Q. Coach Franklin said it’s not a bowl game, it’s a business trip, and you are trying to decipher the two. Is he doing a pretty good job of that and if so, what do you notice?

TYLER WARREN: I think the team understands that in- general understands what we are here to do and not really clanging up our process. Obviously, we are in a different place and a little bit different schedule but doing everything the same that- we have been doing all year.

Q. You will be in the first or second round draft. Are there any teams that you want to go to?

TYLER WARREN: That’s not something I have looked into too much at the moment. We have a lot to focus on right now. But, yeah, when that time comes, any team that I go to, I will be happy with.

Q. Any personal goals for this game? Obviously, you all want to win. That’s the overall goal. Do you want a number of catches or touchdowns?

TYLER WARREN: No, I will do whatever I can and whatever is asked of me during the game from the offense and make sure we put ourselves in the best position to win.

Q. Are you preparing differently for this team or just another game?

TYLER WARREN: Yeah, we have been sticking to our preparation, what we have been doing all year. Obviously, we have a little more time. School is done and we don’t have as much to worry about. We have been able to spend a little bit more time.