Penn State football TE Khalil Dinkins declares for 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft is still months away, but Penn State — often dubbed Tight End U — is poised to send another tight end worthy of that label.

Redshirt senior Khalil Dinkins recently announced via social media that he is entering the NFL Draft after five seasons with the blue and white.

"I want to thank Coach Franklin for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete and grow within this program," Dinkins posted on Instagram. "I also want to thank my teammates for the battles, the memories, and the brotherhood that will last a lifetime. Thank you to the fans for the energy that made every moment special."

Khalil Dinkins declares for the 2026 NFL Draft

The Wexford, Penn. native appeared in all 12 regular-season games for Penn State this season. In nine starts, he tallied a career-high 167 yards and grabbed two touchdowns for a third consecutive year.

Dinkins started under Franklin as the No. 1 tight end but finished the year behind both Anthony Rappleyea and Luke Reynolds in receiving yards. That's been the story of his utilization so far, as Dinkins also served as a backup to now Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren.

Out of North Allegheny High School, Dinkins earned great accolades, tabbed as a three-star in the 247 Sports Composite rankings from his class. Dinkins ultimately committed to the Nittany Lions as a part of the 2021 class, where he was the No. 14 recruit. Other notable members of that recruiting class were Landon Tengwall, Kalen King, and Harrison Wallace III.

Dinkins hopes to join King and Wallace in the pros, both who played their first NFL seasons in 2025, and follow in his father's footsteps.

His father, Darnell Dinkins, played in the NFL from 2002-09, including a Super Bowl win in his final season with the New Orleans Saints. Although Khalil's path to the pros might be simpler, his father worked as a juvenile probation officer and then moved through independent teams before reaching the NFL.

The youngest Dinkins will be essential to any team that takes a chance on him in the NFL, as, despite limited stats, he's competent as both a blocker and a receiver.

That versatility, as well as his incredible six-foot-four-inch, 250-pound frame, can't be taught, but it can be built on. While taking a chance on him might not always seem justified, if given the opportunity, Dinkins can thrive.

This season and his collegiate career as a whole speak to that. As someone who was consistently overlooked at Penn State, he stayed loyal and committed. When opportunities increased, so did his production, making his ceiling truly unpredictable.