Freshman Tight End Plays in College Semifinals, Makes Key Surprise Play
Cheshire Academy football standout Luke Reynolds ’24 is already making a name for himself as a first-year tight end for the Penn State Nittany Lions, even catching a pass in this month’s semifinal nailbiter against Notre Dame.
Dubbed “a centerpiece of Penn State’s 2024 recruiting class” by Sports Illustrated, Reynolds distinguished himself as one to watch after converting a first down on a surprise fake punt that helped cinch the Lions’ earlier 26-25 win over Minnesota.
“Luke’s done a tremendous job. Jumped right under (All-American senior tight end) Tyler (Warren)’s wing and learned some of the ways he’s prepared,” Penn State tight end coach Ty Howle told the York Daily Record. “His background of being a quarterback, he can see the big picture of the game. The big thing for Luke is he’s really, really smart with a high football IQ coming in. It’s his background as a quarterback but also the way he prepares. He’s the ultimate in-the-building guy and always working at it.”
Named MVP of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) in 2023, Reynolds was a clutch player at Cheshire Academy. With 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the 2023 Gamere Bowl game, Reynolds caught the 23-yard pass for a touchdown and the NEPSAC championship.
“Luke is simply the definition of competitor,” Head Coach Bill Mella says. “He leads in the classroom, locker room and on the field. He will always do extra and brings teammates along to be better.”
Read more about Reynolds’ first season at Penn State and watch him catch his first college touchdown pass.
