Penn State football tight end Khalil Dinkins has flown under the radar playing behind Tyler Warren throughout his collegiate career. Questions about how the Nittany Lions will fill in that gap now that Warren is off starting his NFL career have circled around, but inside the locker room, there's not one concern in mind.
As a redshirt junior, Dinkins made six starts and recorded 14 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns. While these numbers are incomparable to what Warren put up, it's unfair to judge him based on the 2024 John Mackey Award winner's performance.
With the recent 2025 Watch List for that same award, though, Dinkins might just follow in Warren's footsteps.
Khalil Dinkins is named to the 2025 John Mackey Award Watch List
The award honors the best tight end in college football in honor of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey. The Nassau County Sports Commission established the award in 2000. On Friday, Dec. 12, the 2025 John Mackey Award winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. The eight semifinalists will be unveiled Thursday, Oct. 30 followed by the Wednesday, Nov. 26 announcement of the three finalists.
Dinkins was one of 45 tight ends to make the award's watch list. There's no guarantee that his 2025 performance will live up to Warren in 2024 or keep his spot as the list of 45 narrows down. However, the Nittany Lion's name was not buzzing around in the offseason and has only recently been in conversation.
Head coach James Franklin said that not enough people were talking about Dinkins at the beginning of August after an open training camp practice. His 2024 stats might not be praise-worthy, but there's a lot more to consider when judging the best tight ends across the country. Center Nick Dawkins said that the rising redshirt senior is an elite blocker and just another threat to the offensive line when he's not the pass catcher.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki will have a lot of versatility to work with in the passing game between wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends. Dinkins won't need to be the consistent target, like Warren, with the depth Penn State has now in those three position groups. He'll pick up receiving yards and score touchdowns, and Franklin expects that based on his training camp performance; but regardless of who tallies the points, Dinkins will be a crucial part of the Nittany Lions' offensive success.