Joey Schlaffer realizes path to success at Penn State can be a long one

By Seth Engle — MikeDragoSports.com Penn State correspondent

UNIVERSITY PARK — Joey Schlaffer knew the Beaver Stadium turf long before joining the Penn State program as a high-ranking tight end recruit early in 2023. His half-brother, Michal Menet, was a mainstay of the Nittany Lions’ offensive line before embarking on an NFL career.

Menet, who preceded Schlaffer at Exeter by seven years, has served as Schlaffer’s sounding board heading into season a with opportunities aplenty.

Schlaffer didn’t see the field as a true freshman in 2023; then again, neither did Menet in his first season, 2016.

With last year’s starter, Theo Johnson, turning pro Schlaffer could hear his name called sooner than later for an offense that often employs two tight ends in the offensive scheme.

We’ll find out more Saturday during Penn State’s Blue-White game, which kicks off at 2.

One thing Schlaffer has learned is that patience is a key.

“It’s not like anyone that’s been a star here became a star overnight, right?” he said. “It’s taken years and just lots and lots and lots of practice. So I’m confident that I can become what all those guys were and are, and I’m excited to see what happens.”

The key for Schlaffer to reach the same status as Johnson or other great Nittany Lion tight ends is likely to come down to how well-rounded he can make himself.

For returning starter Tyler Warren, consistent playing time didn’t appear out of thin air, either. First it took becoming a hardnosed blocker and then a threat at Wildcat before Penn State coach James Franklin and tight ends coach Ty Howle felt confident to use him as a prominent receiving target.

Howle said Schlaffer has “done a nice job” this offseason making himself an option in the areas that don’t necessarily revolve around pass-catching.

“Tyler, Theo . . . those guys putting their hands on the ground and developing as blockers (was a key in earning playing time),” Howle said earlier this week. “That’s always the thing that you have to develop the most because they’re physically gifted and catch the football and all those things — now you got to work on those pieces.”

Out-working his teammates will also be crucial in Schlaffer’s bid for playing time.

Warren is the clear leader in Penn State’s tight end room, a unit that also boasts some prospects with eye-opening potential.

It’s likely none stand out more than Andrew Rappleyea, a redshirt freshman who played at Milton Academy in Massachusetts, and Luke Reynolds, a freshman from Cheshire Academy in Connecticut who was the nation’s top-ranked tight end recruit.

Warren, Rappleyea and redshirt junior Khalil Dinkins of North Allegheny High School, appear ahead of Schlaffer on the Penn State depth chart, according to Ourlads.com.

Schlaffer made his mark in the weight room this offseason in an effort to separate himself from the pack. He claimed three of the eight available “Competitor of the Day” shoutouts from Howle, the most of any tight end.

“Joey’s the winter workout king,” Rappleyea said. “He’s been competitor of the day left and right. I’ve been getting matched against him, and one of (those) days, he actually kicked my butt. He’s a great competitor; he shows up every day.”

Schlaffer isn’t used to being behind anyone when it comes to playing time.  He was a four-year starter for Exeter at wide receiver and tight end; he also played defensive line and was a Wildcat quarterback as a senior when he led the Eagles to a 12-1 record and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 title in 2022.

He left as Berks’ all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,504) and touchdown receptions (31), and with a program-record 122 receptions.

Things don’t come easy at the college level, especially at Penn State. Schlaffer has had to learn the hard way; he has gained some much-needed wisdom throughout his first year in the program.

“I think that’s a huge part of it, just knowing what you’re getting into,” Schlaffer said. “I feel like the condition that I’ve kept my body in, this time of year compared to last year, is a whole different story.

“I’m glad that I’m getting recognition and stuff but it’s honestly more about me just getting into a better football shape.”

Schlaffer’s 6-5, 233-pound frame is quite different from Michal, who played at 6-4, 306 during his final season, 2020. The road to making an impact is quite similar, and Menet is helping as much as he can throughout the process.

Schlaffer has bounced questions off him since his arrival to campus. He can only hope the conversations turn to film reviews from games played. perhaps as soon as this fall.

“(Michal) didn’t play his first two years and he made it to the NFL,” Schlaffer said. “So I think just having that kind of experience and just his story and seeing everyone’s story is really different here, you don’t know what’s gonna happen.”