Penn State has had a run of tight ends in recent years. Mike Gesicki was followed by Pat Freiermuth. Both were integral pieces of the Nittany Lions’ passing game, and both have established themselves in the NFL. Brenton Strange, a fellow second-round draft pick, is in the process of doing the same.

A commitment to tight ends is a part of Penn State’s “big-picture plan,” James Franklin said at his Tuesday news conference. He used the term “differentiator” when describing how the position can be used as a weapon in college football.

Before this season, it looked like Theo Johnson would be Penn State’s next “differentiator.” But so far, Johnson’s involvement has been underwhelming.

Johnson has been solid as a blocker in the running game; the tape speaks for itself there. But the 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end has only four receptions for 46 yards on seven targets through three games.

More was expected from Johnson, who flashed moments of brilliance in 2022. He had at least one catch of 25 yards or more in six of Penn State’s final seven games last season, capping the year with a key 28-yard catch in the Rose Bowl.

To this point, Johnson hasn’t had a similar impact. But he’s not allowing his production (or lack thereof) affect how he prepares and performs.

“We take things week by week, and I try not to have huge expectations when it comes to my involvement in the pass game,” Johnson said. “I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, win my man coverage and continue to do my job.

“Those receptions are going to come. Those stats are going to come. If you put on the tape, I’m doing my job. I’m doing what I’m asked to do, and I’m doing it at a high level. I have to trust the scheme and trust that those receptions and those stats are going to keep coming. I’m trusting the process.”

Johnson added that tight ends coach Ty Howle has helped him maintain that mindset, telling him to “keep chipping away and things will fall into place.”

“And that’s what I try to do whenever I have opportunities in practice, to make plays in 1-on-1s and competition drills,” Johnson said. “I try to do those things to the best of my ability to not only instill confidence within myself that I can do these things, but to instill confidence in the coaches to be able to make those calls in pivotal moments in the game.”

Chances to contribute to the passing game will come in time. Johnson knows it. Franklin knows it. And so does Drew Allar.

Allar has been impressed by the veteran tight end. The young quarterback said Johnson is a vocal leader of the offense and “nothing really sways him.” Allar also appreciates what Johnson and co-starter Tyler Warren have put on film.

Warren has been looked at slightly more than Johnson with 11 targets. But wide receivers KeAndre Lambert-Smith (16), Malik McClain (12), Harrison Wallace III (11) and Liam Clifford (8) have seen most of the looks through the air.

“We have two great tight ends in the passing game, and we want to get them involved as much as we can,” Allar said. “But I think they’re doing a great job of being team players right now. There’s only one ball to go around at the end of the day, and we have so many weapons at running back, receiver and tight end. It’s hard to spread it around. But we try to do the best job we can.”

In order to handle Iowa this weekend, Allar will need his full complement of targets to get open. Perhaps Johnson can replicate his Whiteout performance last year when he led Penn State with 75 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota.

But whether or not he does, expect Johnson to keep the same approach — and expect the Nittany Lions to continue to value their tight ends.

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