Exeter grad Joey Schlaffer hopes increased weight leads to role on Penn State offense
Feb. 15—Joey Schlaffer didn't see game action in his first season at Penn State after a stellar high school football career at Exeter.
He wasn't shocked or dejected. He used the year to learn from veteran tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren and to increase his weight.
"They've seen it all," Schlaffer said this week. "I've leaned on those two guys so much. They've really taught me a lot and showed me the ropes, just the ins and outs of the position and the complexities of defenses.
"I think that was the biggest takeaway from my first year and getting stronger and bigger."
The 6-5 Schlaffer arrived at Penn State in January 2023 weighing 215 pounds and much lighter than Johnson, Warren and the other experienced tight ends.
Ty Howle, his position coach, said last season that adding weight and strength was a primary focus for Schlaffer, who now weighs 235. He's received recognition from Howle three times for his effort during workouts this winter.
"Ideally I'd like to get to 245 by spring ball (which begins in March)," he said. "It's been a long road to get there. I'm on the right track, for sure. My numbers in the weight room are definitely going up. I've really bought more into it and I'm starting to see the results."
At Exeter, Schlaffer set Berks County career receiving records with 2,493 yards and 28 touchdowns. He helped the Eagles win the District 3 Class 5A title as a junior and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 championship as a senior.
He was rated a four-star prospect by On3 and Rivals and received three stars from 247 Sports and ESPN.
Schlaffer spent last season behind four veterans: Johnson, who's off to the NFL, Warren, Khalil Dinkins and Jerry Cross. He enrolled with Andrew Rappleyea, who played in three games last season.
"I was aware that high school and college football at a place like this are two completely different things," Schlaffer said. "My brother (former Penn State center and three-year starter Michal Menet) is a perfect example. He got redshirted and then didn't play much his second year either.
"He told me before I got here that it's very rare to come in and start or get really good minutes as a true freshman. It's a grind. People work a long time to get a starting spot at a place like this."
Schlaffer's short-term goal is to gain a role on offense, one like Dinkins had in 2022 behind Johnson, Warren and Brenton Strange, now in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"I think spring ball is going to be huge for me as far as gaining the trust of the coaches and showing that I can make plays," he said. "That's all spring ball really is, trying to figure out who's who. And I want to continue to gain weight and get stronger, faster and bigger."
