Upper Perkiomen’s Whary studies up to make big plays for Kutztown
The COVID-19 pandemic kept the Kutztown University football team from playing in 2020.
Tyler Whary took advantage of the time without practice and games by throwing himself into the Golden Bears’ playbook.
His increased comfort with Kutztown’s defensive scheme has allowed him to become one of the primary playmakers for the 7-1 Golden Bears. Whary, a redshirt junior and Upper Perkiomen graduate, has piled up 46 tackles (20 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in his first season as a starter.
“He was right on the edge [of playing more] in 2019,” Kutztown coach Jim Clements said by phone after a recent practice. “We had some older guys in front of him. Having the whole year off and studying the playbook more, he was really good in the spring [of 2021]. He’s a really hard-working kid. He’s got a great attitude.
“He’s constantly trying to get better. When he makes a mistake, it’s usually because he’s going 100 miles an hour, which is good. But he’s not making a lot of mistakes. He’s physically one of the better kids we have.”
Most of Whary’s 2019 playing time — he redshirted as a freshman in 2018 — came on special teams. He had 24 tackles (14 solo) and recovered a fumble. Those Golden Bears won the PSAC East championship and an NCAA Division II firstround playoff game.
The current Golden Bears are challenging for another division title. Their stellar defense has led the way. Kutztown has limited its opponents to 12.5 points per game and 2.9 yards per carry.
Whary has played a pivotal role during his breakthrough season, especially over the past month. He has eight tackles for loss and two sacks in Kutztown’s last three games, all wins.
“The first couple of games, I was just getting my feet wet,” Whary said. “It was pretty stressful with my first start coming against Assumption in the first game of the season.
“When we go with a three-down front in our defense — we’re mainly a four-down front — I’m the wrap player,” he added. “I got my two sacks and a couple of tackles for loss just off that, because I get to just sit there. I don’t have any pass responsibility; I just read what’s in front of me.”
The Golden Bears know exactly what sits ahead of them this week. A win Saturday over Millersville would give them at least a share of the PSAC East regular-season championship. They also would earn a spot in the PSAC title game at home Saturday, Nov. 13.
No matter where this season ends for Kutztown, Whary plans to be back. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining despite being a senior academically. He plans to use at least one of those seasons by returning in the fall of 2022.
Will he be back with more championship hardware?
“We’re not looking past Millersville,” Whary said. “They’re definitely a good team, and they’re going to give us their all. We’re just focused on them right now, and whatever happens after that happens.”