Penn State TE Luke Reynolds Given ‘Green Light’ to Burn Freshman Redshirt

Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds has officially been promoted on the depth chart. Reynolds, who has appeared in both of the Nittany Lions’ two games, has been given the green light to burn his freshman redshirt, James Franklin said on Monday.

Players can appear in up to four games, not including postseason competition, and still retain their redshirt status. Reynolds now joins offensive lineman Cooper Cousins and safety Dejuan Lane in Penn State players cleared to play in any game at any time.

“Luke is transitioning to green light at this stage,” Franklin said. “Again, these green, reds and yellows can change as things go. I think we always look at things changing in terms of moving up from red to yellow to green, but they also can go in the other direction.”

Reynolds’ green-light designation comes after redshirt freshman Andrew Rappleyea sustained a “long-term injury” leading up to last week’s win over Bowling Green. In Rappleyea’s place, Reynolds received his first-career start and registered 21 snaps, more than any tight end other than fellow starter Tyler Warren.

“Luke’s doing really well,” Franklin said. “He was one of these guys, he showed up on campus, he was very driven and motivated to play, that is both mentally and physically. Was willing to do things necessary to play — attack the weight room, attack summer workouts, attack the playbook.”

Reynolds joined the program as a five-star recruit with endless potential, but Franklin and strength and conditioning coach Chuck Losey still held reservations over his size.

A former high school quarterback, Reynolds was originally much lighter than the other players at his position, but now stands at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, 21 pounds heavier than he was in January. Reynolds’ weight gain has made him a bigger target for quarterback Drew Allar in the pass game and, maybe most importantly, a staunch blocker.

“Where it’s somewhat unusual in 2024 for a tight end, he’ll also stick his nose in there,” Franklin said. “And for some of these guys, who have never really done that at the high school level, that’s a challenge, and especially when you’re asking them to block Smith Vilbert, over 280 pounds or whatever he may be. He’s shown a willingness and aggressiveness with that, as well.”

Rappleyea’s injury is certainly a bummer for the Nittany Lions. But with Warren, Reynolds and veteran Khalil Dinkins, the team should remain strong at tight end as the season unfolds.

Franklin did not name other freshmen who could see the field in the near future. However, it’s possible that a handful make their debuts against struggling Kent State, which most recently sustained a 71-0 defeat to Tennessee on Saturday.

Besides Reynolds, Cousins and Lane, Losey said he has seen several other freshmen separate themselves from the pack, including defensive end Max Granville, defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr., wide receiver Tyseer Denmark and offensive lineman Eagan Boyer.

“We got a ton of guys that I think could play as true freshmen. But the guys that have played, I think, are showing that they’re willing to make the type of sacrifices and commitments to actually do it,” Franklin said. “And some guys are either not physically ready to play or emotionally ready to play or mentally ready to play.

“(Reynolds) is a guy that’s shown through hard work and development that he is ready to play, kind of in all three.”