Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1537537
A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 51 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / T I G H T E N D S / / / / / / / Dinkins earned a greater chance to make an impact. Playing in 15 games — and starting six when Penn State opened with two tight ends — he finished with 14 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Along the way, he also contributed sig- nificantly as a reliable blocker in the Nit- tany Lions' running game. Capturing the attention of Warren in a room that also featured two promising freshmen in Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappleyea, Dinkins was deemed to be the position's heir. "Khalil has done really good. The stuff he's done in the run game, and what he's capable of doing in the pass game — he'll be great," Warren predicted. "There's plenty to look forward to in our room. I know it will be in good hands with the way they work, with our standards, and with how they play." Confidence And Determination For Dinkins, those potential run- game contributions have been a point of emphasis throughout the offseason. Last year, the Nittany Lions found un- conventional ways to take advantage of Warren's extensive skill set. Among other contributions, he helped keep opposing defenses off-balance by totaling 26 car- ries for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns as a Wildcat quarterback. Dinkins is eager to contribute as a ball carrier, whether in the backfield or after the catch. "Anything just to make the first man miss," he said. Stepping into the void with confidence and determination this offseason, Dinkins is looking forward to the season ahead. It's an opportunity that could prove to be a springboard to the next level, just as it was for Warren, Johnson, Strange and three other Franklin-era tight ends. In ad- dition to the example that those players provided, Dinkins' father, Darnell, played seven NFL seasons and later coached tight ends for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and at Rutgers. However, in order to make the most of his chance, Dinkins knows that he needs to turn his focus inward and maximize his own skill set. "I just try to be myself every day," he said. "Ty was definitely a big part of my development. He was here when I was a young kid. It's helped me develop into my own character. So, just going into this, I'm not really trying to be someone I'm not. I'm just trying to be the best [version] of who I am on the field." ■ Dinkins caught 14 passes for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns as a redshirt junior last fall. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS