Tyler Warren and Abdul Carter have been essential to Penn State’s run toward the College Football Playoffs. On Wednesday, they were recognized nationally. Warren and Carter were named semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. It’s not their first national recognition, and it’s not a surprise given their contributions so far.

There was no indication that Penn State’s final possession last weekend against Washington would be anything other than a routine, clock-eating maneuver. Getting the ball back up 35-6 with less than 90 seconds remaining,

The opportunity for true freshmen to see the field has never been higher than over Penn State’s final three regular season games. That’s amplified in a game at Purdue, a team that hasn’t won since its season opener.

Penn State has been extremely careful with its 2024 freshman, those from a recruiting class that finished 15th in the country. Only three players — offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, safety Dejuan Lane and tight end Luke Reynolds — have played in more than four games to burn their redshirts.