Penn State’s Khalil Dinkins taking advantage of opportunity

Penn State has consistently had one of the nation’s best tight end rooms, and that is no different in 2023.

Many fans thought the position would take a dip this season after Brenton Strange was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

However, the duo of Tyler Warren and Theo Johnson have stepped up in a big way, combining for 22 catches for 178 yards and four touchdowns in the opening four contests of the campaign.

Alongside Warren and Johnson is redshirt sophomore Khalil Dinkins, who is starting to see the gridiron more often.

The Nittany Lions struggled in the first quarter against Iowa, leading just 3-0 after the first quarter had concluded.

After a muffed punt that was recovered by Curtis Jacobs, the blue and white got the ball back, looking to extend its advantage.

On 4th-and-1, Drew Allar lined up under center and fired a bullet into the endzone that was caught by Dinkins, giving Penn State a double-digit lead.

“It kind of moved in slow motion,” Dinkins said. “Catch it. Touchdown. Ain’t nothing better than that.”

Dinkins’s touchdown was just the first catch he’s recorded all season, and in 2022, he had just four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Despite playing in just his 13th collegiate contest, the Wexford, Pennsylvania, native was ready to make a play.

“We’ve been running it in practice, and we just scripted it out,” Dinkins said. “I knew I was going to score as soon as we called it. I was just ready to catch it.”

Dinkins’s second-quarter score was just one of three touchdowns scored by Penn State tight ends on Saturday, with Warren hauling in the other two.

The third-year tight end mentioned his chemistry with sophomore quarterback Drew Allar has only improved as the year has gone on.

Dinkins notched his first collegiate touchdown in 2022 against Ohio, and it was the same game where Allar tallied his first multi-touchdown performance.

Allar and Dinkins shared the field a lot last season, with the duo playing in 10 and eight games, respectively.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that they trust me just to catch the ball,” Dinkins said. “Drew’s such a great quarterback, and I know he’s going to get it to me anytime.”

Dinkins also noted the competition in practice makes him better, and it’s good to know that the whole room has his back.

He added that the room knows the history of Penn State tight ends, and they want to make everyone who came before them proud.

“I know what’s been through the Penn State tight ends,” Dinkins said. “Pat Freiermuth, Jesse [James], and Mike [Gesicki], so just a whole bunch of pride there.”

What made his touchdown against Iowa on Saturday even more special was that he could share the moment with his younger brother, preferred walk-on Kolin Dinkins.

Kolin watched from the sidelines as his older brother made a game-changing play that ultimately helped Penn State capture its first-ranked win of the year.

“There’s no experience like it,” Dinkins said. “Hearing the noise of the fans, it’s the best feeling in the world.”

Alex Rocco is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.