As Penn State prepares for the 2025 football season, fifth-year tight end Khalil Dinkins is poised to take on a larger role, both on the field and as a mentor in the Nittany Lions’ storied tight end room. Known for his elite blocking and emerging skills as a pass-catcher, Dinkins is carrying forward a legacy built by NFL talents while guiding younger players in one of college football’s most respected position groups.
Dinkins arrived at Penn State in 2021 as a three-star recruit from Pittsburgh, joining a tight end room stacked with talent. As a freshman, he learned from a talented group that included Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, current NFL starters for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.
“It’s just something I always prepared for,” Dinkins said. “You know, first year coming in here, it was a long road. Just learning from Brenton, Theo and Tyler, they taught me everything, and they told me the standard. That’s what I’m trying to do for the young guys, too.”
The tight end room’s culture, enhanced by frequent visits from alumni like Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jesse James (eight-year NFL veteran) and Mike Gesicki (Cincinnati Bengals), has shaped Dinkins into a leader.
“There’s this thing that’s special about the room,” tight ends coach Ty Howle said. “They all learn from each other, and they pass it down.”
Penn State’s tight end corps thrives on its diversity, with each player bringing distinct skills. Dinkins described the group’s dynamic, saying “we all bring something different.” Early in his career, Dinkins established himself as a dominant run-blocker, often handling the less glamorous tasks to support the Nittany Lions’ ground attack, which ranked fifth among power conferences in rushing yards per game (202.3) in 2024.
“He’s one of the best blockers I’ve had here. And you know, that was evident last year,” Howle said. “He’s a selfless guy. He did a lot of the gritty, dirty work. He can really run. He’s a great athlete. So I’m excited to see his role grow this year, you know, and obviously a veteran presence in the room.”
This offseason, Dinkins focused on improving his receiving skills, particularly his ability to evade defenders after the catch. He said he’s worked to become a better ball-carrier, with the goal of always making the first man miss. He had 14 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns last season, making him the eighth leading receiver on Penn State’s offense, but that’s likely to change in 2025.
“I don’t think (Dinkins) gets enough credit for what he does in the receiving game, and it’s been awesome to see him get better,” sophomore tight end Luke Reynolds said. “He’s obviously a tremendous blocker and I was happy when he got the opportunities to go out there and catch the ball and get some yards after the catch during the season.”
In addition to an increased on-field role, Dinkins is responsible for mentoring the younger tight ends, passing on knowledge and work ethic acquired from previous teammates, many of whom are now playing on Sundays.
To ensure the continued success of the room, Dinkins has set an example of what it means to be a Penn State tight end. His work ethic, honed over five years, has made him a role model for younger players.
“I mean, you got 23-year-old, fifth-year Khalil. So he’s been here a long time,” fellow tight end Andrew Rappleyea said. “He’s been great to play with, play behind. He’s taught me a lot, and just to see how he’s progressed, and just overall his physicality in the game, he’s the best blockers I’ve ever played football with, so seeing that with him is great. So he’s a great mentor.”
