Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1537537
5 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / 2 0 2 5 F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★★ National Title; ★★★★ Top 10; ★★★ Top 25; ★★ Too Unproven; ★ Major Concern STARTER ★★★ Some fans already have sophomore Luke Reynolds leapfrogging redshirt senior Khalil Dinkins for the top spot on the depth chart this year. That would be a mistake. Dinkins spent last season doing the dirty work in the offense that allowed Tyler Warren to shine. His role isn't indicative of his overall talent, just his talent compared to Warren's. There's no shame in that, considering that Warren went 14th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. EXPERIENCE ★★ Dinkins has played 701 snaps over the past four seasons. While he hasn't been a full- time starter to this point in his career, he's an experienced veteran. Aside from Dinkins, though, the Lions are awfully green at this position group. Reynolds saw action on 267 offensive snaps last year, but redshirt sopho- more Andrew Rappleyea missed virtually the entire 2024 season with an injury, and class- mate Joey Schlaffer was on the field for only 14 offensive plays. The rest of the scholarship depth chart consists of true freshmen. DEPTH ★★★ Regardless of whether he starts or backs up Dinkins, Reynolds will be expected to take a step forward this season. A healthy Rappleyea will add to the team's depth, and Schlaffer reportedly made progress this spring. Throw in a trio of high-level recruits, and the Lions have plenty of manpower at this position group. OVERALL GRADE ★★★ While Dinkins has compiled modest statistics to this point in his career — 23 catches for 232 yards and 5 touchdowns in four seasons — he's a very talented player who's been awaiting a chance to showcase his skills. He proved without a doubt that he's one of the best blocking tight ends that Penn State has produced in recent years. Dinkins is also very athletic and possesses excellent top-end speed and movement skills. That combination could be just as po- tent this fall, even without the gadget plays, Wildcat snaps and hyperfocus on Warren as a receiving target that characterized last year's offense. Penn State needs to add an explosive element to its passing game, and Dinkins could potentially provide that over the middle of the field. Factor in the depth that PSU has built in its past three recruiting classes, and you have the makings of a very strong position group. Luke Reynolds made one of the biggest plays of Penn State's season when he bolted 32 yards with a fake punt in the fourth quarter of the Lions' visit to Minnesota. PHOTO BY STEVEN WALTER/PENN STATE ATHLETICS 1st Freshman Andrew Olesh's national ranking among tight end prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, per On3. The final player to join Penn State's class, Olesh was listed by On3's scouts as the No. 29 overall prospect nationally. 6 Number of Penn State tight ends who have been drafted during the James Franklin coaching era. Before Tyler Warren went to the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2025 draft, the Nittany Lions sent Jesse James to Pittsburgh (fifth round, 2015), Mike Gesicki to Miami (second round, 2018), Pat Freiermuth to Pittsburgh (second round, 2021), Brenton Strange to Jacksonville (second round, 2023) and Theo Johnson to the New York Giants (fourth round, 2024). 22 Pounds added by sophomore Luke Reynolds since he signed with Penn State in December 2023. Reynolds was listed at 228 pounds on signing day for the 2024 class and is up to 250 on the current roster. Scholarship Players (7) No. Player Yr. Ht. Wt. 16 Khalil Dinkins R-Sr. 6-4 251 44 Matt Henderson Fr. 6-5 230 83 Brian Kortovich Fr. 6-4 243 88 Andrew Olesh Fr. 6-5 226 87 Andrew Rappleyea R-So. 6-4 251 85 Luke Reynolds So. 6-4 250 18 Joey Schlaffer R-So. 6-5 252 Quick Facts Position coach: Ty Howle (fifth season) Returning starter: None Departing starter: Tyler Warren (31 ca- reer starts) Projected new starter: Khalil Dinkins (6) or Luke Reynolds (4) Top reserves: Andrew Rappleyea (1), Joey Schlaffer Newcomers: Matt Henderson, Brian Kor- tovich, Andrew Olesh BY THE NUMBERS Five-star prospect Andrew Olesh joined Penn State's 2025 recruiting class in December. PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS