Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1486024
1 8 D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Brenton Strange had been a wide re- ceiver at Parkersburg (W.Va.) High, but the four-star prospect was recruited as a tight end by Penn State and had to develop the blocking skills the position requires. Now a redshirt junior, Strange has be- come the well-rounded player the Nit- tany Lions' coaching staff envisioned. This fall, he finished the regular season as the team's third-leading receiver, with 32 catches for 362 yards and 5 touchdowns. He's also played a key role in the team's improvement in the ground game. Under the tutelage of second- year tight ends coach Ty Howle, a former Penn State offensive lineman, Strange and fellow tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren have helped the Nittany Lions rank fourth in the Big Ten in rushing with an average of 182.1 yards per game on the ground. Strange recently took the time to talk with reporters about his career and his role on this year's team. QUESTION: How do you think the tight ends have improved as run block- ers over the course of the season? STRANGE: "I think that's always been one of the strengths of our group. If you look at tight ends throughout the country, a lot of them aren't will- ing to do the things we do. The coaches are asking a lot of us — run game, pass game, whatever it is. We're just happy to take on that challenge every single week." QUESTION: When tight ends are being recruited these days, they're of- ten receivers who have to learn how to block at the college level. Do you feel as though you and Theo Johnson were prepared for that when you got to Penn State, or is it something you had to learn? STRANGE: "It was definitely some- thing that we had to learn when we got here. He also played receiver in high school. It was an adjustment. "As soon as I stepped on campus, Coach [Tyler] Bowen, who was the tight ends coach at the time, put a big em- phasis on blocking — the footwork and the technique and everything that you have to do. I think Ty has done a great job of continuing that and helping us find ways to get better in our technique." QUESTION: It's been interesting to watch the evolution of the offense and the variety of ways in which the tight ends are being used. What has that been like for you? Has that been a rewarding process, or has it been a challenge to learn so many new formations? STRANGE: "It's definitely been a rewarding process. The coaches ask us to do a lot, and everybody in that room is ready to take on that challenge every single week. We're happy to do it, be- cause we know that we can do whatever is asked of us. I think we've been do- ing a great job of just moving around in the offense, presenting the defense with different looks. It can create confusion sometimes, so whatever we can do to help our team be successful, we're on board with that." QUESTION: How has Ty Howle been able to help you with the blocking aspect of the position, given his back- ground as an offensive lineman? STRANGE: "He's been improving my knowledge, improving my IQ of the game, giving me different techniques I can work at, telling me my steps in the run game. It's all very valuable, and with him being younger, we can all re- late to him. He's not far out from when he played here, probably about 10 years. So, all the knowledge he's given us has helped us excel as a group, for sure." QUESTION: You've said in the past that physical toughness is a big part of your game. Do you feel that the team has embraced that mentality? It seems like it was a critical part of Penn State's performance in the second half of the season. STRANGE: "I think that mentality is something we should carry every single week. Toughness is a part of football, and it helps you win games." Sitting Down With Redshirt Junior Tight End Brenton Strange Penn State has used Strange as a pass catcher and also as a blocking back in a T-formation offense featuring freshman running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE