All 105 is a Nittany Sorts Now series profiling each Penn State football player. In this edition, we will be profiling redshirt freshman tight end, Khalil Dinkins.
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 234 pounds
Hometown: Wexford, Pennsylvania
Before Penn State: The son of Darnell Dinkins, who played eight seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints in the 2009 season, Khalil Dinkins made a name for himself at North Allegheny High School near Pittsburgh, where he was teammates with current Penn State defensive back Joey PorterJr. for two seasons.
At North Allegheny, which is known as one of western Pennsylvania’s best football programs, Dinkins got used to winning. The Tigers went 36-3 over Dinkins’ four seasons with the team, and Dinkins played a big part in it.
In 2020, Dinkins, a team captain, finished the year with 413 receiving yards and six touchdowns, helping the Tigers to an appearance in the WPIAL championship game.
Dinkins, who was also a star on North Allegheny’s basketball team, was a three-star prospect according to 247Sports’ composite rankings and committed to Penn State in October of 2020.
2021: Dinkins redshirted his freshman season, but impressed on Penn State’s developmental squad, twice earning offensive player of the week.
Dinkins only appeared in one game last season and has yet to make his college debut.
Where he stands: Coach James Franklin consistently refers to his tight end group as one of America’s best.
With Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren all back from last season, it’s likely that, barring injury, Dinkins will be a depth piece more than anything else for Penn State.
Dinkins projects to be Penn State’s fourth tight end, with others, such as four-star true freshman Jerry Cross, competing for playing time as well.
Dinkins told reporters at Penn State’s second-year player availability session this summer that came to Penn State at 215 pounds. He’s now listed at 234.
A quote about Dinkins:
“If you look at his skill set, compared nationally, he really jumped up my list and ended up being one of my favorites in the entire class and obviously the favorite when it came down to it,” former Penn State tight ends coach and current Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen said of Dinkins after he signed in December of 2020. “He has incredible athleticism, can run, the ability to run after the catch. He’s got incredible ball skills. A big frame that’s going to be able to develop and add weight.
