The BSD staff recently voted for the top 10 Penn State players heading into 2026. The votes are dictated by how the players are expected to perform in the upcoming season, without factoring in long-term or NFL potential. Each member submitted a ballot with players ranked 1-10, with a first-place vote being 10 points, a second place vote worth nine points, and so on. Up next, tight end Andrew Rappleyea.
HOW HE GOT HERE
Andrew Rappleyea was originally set to head to Ann Arbor. However, he liked what he saw during a visit to Happy Valley enough to decommit from Michigan and instead became a Nittany Lion. It was a huge get for Penn State, as they added the nation’s 177th best overall and #10 tight end prospect, snagging him from a conference foe, no less.
Rappleyea was set for a breakout season in 2024 after a strong off-season and a Blue-White performance that showed his immense potential. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. During the first start of his career in week one against West Virginia, Rappleyea would suffer an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Instead, he watched position-mate Tyler Warren have one of the best single seasons for a tight end on his way to becoming a consensus All-American.
Rappleyea would battle back from injury to be ready for week one action in 2025. He started the season strong, with three catches for 33 yards against Nevada in week one. However, it would be his best game of the first two months of the season. While Rappleyea was likely shaking off rust and getting fully recovered, it did not help that Penn State’s offense deeply underperformed, leading to a 3-3 start and the firing of James Franklin.
Despite the slow start, Rappleyea bounced back with a strong finish to the season. He had 13 of his 20 receptions in the last four games of the season, and ended the year with a touchdown reception in each of the last three games.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026
It’s not hyperbole to state that Penn State could have the nation’s best tight end room in the nation this fall. While Rappleyea is a standout in his own right, he will also be joined by Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, who both had very productive careers at Iowa State.
While sharing the load with those two will impact the stat sheet, there is no question that Rappleyea brings significant value to the offense. He has rare athleticism for his size that makes him a match-up nightmare. He’s also excels as a blocker, making him someone who can stay on the field regardless of the down and distance. Rappleyea also developed into a red zone threat late in 2025, which is a trend that should certainly continue this fall.
