<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2zlrwN_0vkmTilp00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2zlrwN_0vkmTilp00" width="1762" height="1176" ><figcaption>Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) celebrates after he scores a touchdown at the Military Appreciation Game against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Golden Flashes 56-0. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>Khalil Dinkins lined up just to the left of the line of scrimmage with exactly five minutes to go in the third quarter against Kent State. He started his route headed left, but quickly cut upfield down the seam to haul in his first touchdown of the 2024 campaign.The tight end has been limited to a small role in his first three seasons at Penn State, but the work he put in during the offseason has put him in position to contribute this year for the Nittany Lions.“Just made sure I know my P's and Q's, always made sure I was in early, make sure I was on time, just doing the mundane things, as Coach K always says,” Dinkins said. “So just making sure I'm doing everything right on the field and off the field.”He finished the 2023 season with five receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns, having appeared in 12 of the 13 games between offense and special teams. He played behind Theo Johnson, the No. 1 guy in the room.The alpha in the group is now Tyler Warren, but playing behind Johnson and Warren have helped with Dinkins’ development. With an injury to Andrew Rappleyea, Dinkins finds himself in a position to see more snaps. Despite being inactive against West Virginia and seeing limited time against Bowling Green, his role could be expanded with conference play about to be in full swing.“He’s a really talented guy,” Franklin said. “You guys saw last year, he made some big plays when he had an opportunity. I think he’s got a chance to be a real weapon for us. We lost him for a good portion of camp, so to be able to get him back is really important.”During his offensive snaps last season, Dinkins was primarily used in fourth down situations as well as in the red zone. A focal point for him during the offseason was his route tree, hoping to expand his versatility.“It definitely was a point of emphasis, but I think it was just something that y'all weren’t able to see,” Dinkins said.With his versatility comes his impressive frame that can help the offense. The Wexford, Pennsylvania, native stands at 6-foot-4 and boasts a 252-pound frame.“I think he’s a Swiss Army Knife,” Allar said. “The whole tight end room, they’re all kind of similar in that way, where they’re really well-rounded as tight ends. I think Dink has really grown this offseason. Obviously, he’s a very physical guy. He’s very athletic, and I don’t know if many people really know how athletic he is. When we’re able to get the ball to him in space, he’ll make guys miss and he’ll outrun defensive backs just because of how athletic he is.”The redshirt junior comes from a football family — his brother Kolin is a redshirt sophomore that recently made the switch from cornerback to safety. His dad Darnell spent nearly a decade in the NFL playing tight end for several teams, including the New Orleans Saints where he won a Super Bowl.Football is “really big” as part of his upbringing, but he wants to write his own story.“I didn't want to follow in my dad's footsteps. I always want to make my own journey for myself,” Dinkins said. “So, I'm not saying that in a negative way. Of course I love my dad. I don't want to be known for a second him, I just want to be my own person.”With the offseason work paying dividends and a path to playing time, Dinkins will be a sneaky under-the-radar weapon for the Penn State offense.“Keeping up with everything, understanding my plays, making sure I keep up with my weight and everything,” Dinkins said. “So, I just want to make sure that coaches can trust me and count on me mentally and physically.”MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE</div></body>

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‘I always want to make my own journey’ | Penn State TE Khalil Dinkins blazing his own trail

Khalil Dinkins lined up just to the left of the line of scrimmage with exactly five minutes to go in the third quarter against Kent State. He started his route headed left, but quickly cut upfield down the seam to haul in his first touchdown of the 2024 campaign. The...