The Penn State Nittany Lions fan base is always looking for more from their college football team.
Though the team struggled mightily in 2020, they are stacking up their 2021 recruiting class with the hopes of consistently beating their Big Ten rivals soon.
PSU hasn't needed to search the country for great players, either. There are plenty from the state of Pennsylvania.
On National Signing Day in 2020, the Nittany Lions inked North Allegheny's Khalil Dinkins, a tight end who has looked like a stud every time he's stepped on the field.
The Wexford native is the son of Darnell Dinkins, a tight end who played for Pitt before moving onto the NFL and winning a Super Bowl.
Khalil Dinkins Commits to Penn State
@coachjfranklin @CoachTerryPSU pic.twitter.com/2SpevEmRkd
— Khalil Dinkins (@KhalilDink8) October 21, 2020
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Tight end Khalil Dinkins committed to the Nittany Lions in October 2020 after weighing NCAA offers from programs such as Akron, Boston College, Central Michigan, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Toledo, Tulane, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
In the end, the relationship Dinkins has cultivated with head coach James Franklin won out.
Khalil Dinkins (@KhalilDink8), the future starts NOW! ? Welcome home to Happy Valley! #WeAre21 #PSUSigningDay @PennStateAlums pic.twitter.com/BpYJpAz4O9
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 16, 2020
The ability to take on an important role early was a deciding factor as well.
Former Penn State tight end Zach Kuntz entered the Transfer Portal, ensuring that Dinkins has a prime opportunity to show he has what it takes early in his college career.
TE Khalil Dinkins Highlights
Amazingly, Khalil Dinkins isn't just a stud on one side of the ball. He is a supremely talented linebacker as well, and he's operated as a two-way player at North Allegheny High School.
That athleticism is featured all over his highlight tape.
Khalil Dinkins with the catch and run, dragging a defender down to the 1-yard line. NA would punch it in two plays later. Tigers lead Penn Hills, 13-6 with 3:20 left in the 3rd. ?@WTAE? #WPIAL pic.twitter.com/04XBgoqyDx
— Ryan Recker (@RyanRecker) September 12, 2020
The 247Sports Composite lists Dinkins as a three-star prospect. He's a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Dinks is only going to get bigger and stronger at the next level, too.
Penn State football is looking for a bounce-back season, and they will relying heavily on their 2021 recruiting class.
Khalil Dinkins has shined before, and there is little doubt he can shine again when the time comes.
