There might be more than one player who Penn State coach James Franklin feels isn’t getting enough love but there was one particular that he pointed out at Local Media Day Saturday.
Although Khalil Dinkins is one of Penn State’s oldest players, one could argue that he’s under appreciated.
There’s an easy explanation for this: He’s been overshadowed by others at his position.
Through Dinkins’ first three seasons at Penn State, Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson were Penn State’s main tight ends.
Last season, Tyler Warren had one of the best receiving seasons in Penn State history, so it was kinda hard for any other tight end to make noise.
Now, Dinkins is the elder statesmen. But most of the talk seems to be around younger players.
Former five-star Luke Reynolds is the favorite to succeed Warren as the top tight end. There’s also plenty of buzz around Andrew Rappleyea, who’s returning after missing almost all of last season with injury, and true freshman Andrew Olesh, who was the top high school player in Pennsylvania.
It’s easy to forget about Dinkins, who simply does his job.
WHAT FRANKLIN SAID
Khalil Dinkins hauls in his first touchdown reception of the year.
“I don’t think enough people talk about Khalil Dinkins. Khalil Dinkins did all the dirty work last year. Every time we threw the ball to him, I think it was a touchdown. That’s a little dramatic, but he caught a ton of touchdown passes. His touchdown to catch ratio was really good. Big, strong, physical, and his improvement in so many areas since he stepped on campus has been dramatic. I think he has a very bright future. He’s going to have a great year for us, and I think he’s going to have a chance to play for a very long time in the NFL.
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Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now
Franklin isn’t alone in thinking that Dinkins is going to have a big year.
“I don’t think Dinkins is getting enough talk,” center Nick Dawkins said later on in Media Day.
“He’s an elite tight end. He’s one of the… he’s the best blocking tight end in the country. What he does in the play-action pass game and how he sells fakes is impressive. Elite mentality, especially in the red zone.”
What makes Dinkins the best blocking tight end in the country?
“Based off what he did last season,” Dawkins said. “Especially if you go and look and the film and the playoffs. He was just elite at blocking guys one-on-one. If it was even pass protection, like fake gap schemes. Great blocking guy, like defensive ends solo in the run game. When you see our tight ends attack outside zone, the way he moves defensive ends and outside linebackers of the ball and getting to the second level. Just stuff that, obviously, it’s clinic tape. It’s just stuff that you teach, and to see it directly go into game film, it’s pretty impressive.”
Penn State opens the 2025 season against Nevada Aug. 30.
