James Franklin believes one Penn State offensive weapon is flying under the radar

It’s not every offseason that you have to replace a generational program talent, but that’s just where Penn State football finds itself this summer with Mackey Award-winning tight end Tyler Warren off to the NFL. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, there’s still plenty of skill at the position waiting in the wings around the Lasch Football Building.

But as much of the attention has shifted to the former blue-chip recruits the Nittany Lions have at tight end, James Franklin believes the veteran in the room is going unnoticed.

“I don’t think enough people talk about Khalil Dinkins,” Franklin said on Saturday. “He did all the dirty work last year. Every time we threw the ball to him, I think it was a touchdown. That’s being a little dramatic there, but he caught a ton of touchdown passes. His touchdown-to-catch ratio was really good.”

Dinkins made the most of his limited opportunities early in his career, catching nine passes with three touchdowns in 2022 and 2023. With increased targets last fall, the North Allegheny High School product hauled in another two scores on 14 receptions.

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Now with his redshirt senior season less than four weeks away, Dinkins is looking to etch his name in the Nittany Lions’ growing lineage of “Tight End U.”

“He’s big, strong, physical, and his improvement, in so many areas since he stepped on campus, has been dramatic,” Franklin continued. “I think he’s got a very bright future. He’s going to have a great year for us, and I think he’s going to have a chance to play for a long time in the NFL.”

James Franklin earlier today: “I don't think enough people talk about Khalil Dinkins. He did all the dirty work last year. Every time we threw the ball to him, I think it was a touchdown.” #WeAre #PennState pic.twitter.com/5v1R0qxAVr

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) August 2, 2025

Whereas Warren carried the lion’s share of the catches in Penn State’s passing attack last year, receptions this fall are likely to be more evenly distributed. With a more balanced attack, Dinkins’ value – and that of the rest of the Nittany Lion tight ends – will come in a variety of ways.

“I‘m a big believer, as you guys know, in true tight ends and the value that they can bring to your offense,” said Franklin. “When your tight end is really a big wide out, not as valuable. When your tight end is a slug and is just a blocker and is not a receiving threat, he’s an extension of just the offensive line. That’s not overly valuable, either. Ty Howle and our staff have done a really good job of identifying, recruiting, and developing true tight ends that are critical to what we want to do on offense.”

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