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Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins is expected to have a breakout season after serving as a backup.Dinkins is praised for his exceptional blocking skills, with teammates and coaches considering him among the best in the nation.Dinkins plays alongside other talented tight ends like Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappeleya, making the position group potentially formidable.
STATE COLLEGE — The supposed best-kept-secret tight end met the media here wearing a brand new Superman pendant on a chain around his neck.
How well does that fit Khalil Dinkins, the Penn State football senior who continues to get rave reviews from his coaches and teammates but is a relatively unknown commodity beyond?
The guy who must help replace the best tight end in the nation. The one who leads a position room that may still be the most talent-stacked in the nation — a critical spot for the team getting its most preseason attention , surely with its highest preseason ranking in more than 25 years..
“Always my favorite guy,” Dinkins said of Superman. “I’m a big DC and Marvel fan. Saw (the pendant) the other day and bought it.
“Just a guy I look up to. Superman, always that guy to me,” Dinkins said with a smile.
This appears to be quite an opportunity for Dinkins, the career backup with the burgeoning immediate future.
The man with one of the best catch-to-touchdown ratios around?
Khalil Dinkins, in his limited playing time, owns five touchdowns on just 23 receptions.
He’s also the top blocker in Penn State’s impressive tight end room, according to teammates and coaches.
The best in the nation?
The leader of a room also featuring, for starters, former 5-star recruit Luke Reynolds, who made an impressive freshman debut last year, and Andrew Rappeleya, who’s been compared to future NFL hall of famer Rob Gronkowski in demeanor and style.
Then there’s Andrew Olesh, one of the nation’s top tight end recruits last year who figures to mostly watch and learn this coming season. There may not be room for much else.
Penn State football: Tight ends Khalil Dinkins, Luke Reynolds, Andrew Rappaleya
The group that could be harder to defend for its all-around skills and possibilities than when All-America, record-setting Tyler Warren ran the show last fall.
“First thing, I don’t think enough people talk about Khalil Dinkins. He did all the dirty work last year,” said coach James Franklin.
“Big, strong, physical, and his improvement in so many areas since he stepped on campus has been dramatic. 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.”
Go to Rappaleya, ready to make his long-awaited debut after missing last season to injury.
“Khalil, hands down, is the best blocker we’ve had here in a long damn time. You can just see it on tape, there’s no denying it.”
Go to Nick Dawkins, the sixth-year senior center and arguably the Nittany Lions‘ top leader.
“He’s the best blocking tight end in the country. What he does in the pass action pass game and how he sells fakes is impressive. Elite mentality especially in the red zone.
“Just look at film in the playoffs. He was elite at blocking guys one-on-one. … The way he moves defensive ends and outside linebackers off the ball, it’s just clinic tape, stuff you teach. It’s pretty impressive.”
Go to his teacher and direct supervisor, tight ends coach Ty Howle.
“(Dinkins is) a tremendous blocker. He’s got the disposition, he likes physicality. He’s got a really quick second step and plays with a really good pad level and hands. He’s tremendous in that capacity. He’s one of the best at it.”
Certainly, it helped that Dinkins practiced his craft against future first-round NFL Draft pick defensive ends in practice, Chop Robinson and Abdul Carter.
And that he learned from older Penn State tight end stars Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson and Warren.
From his NFL tight end father, Darnell, too.
The time appears to be his now, this possible Superman-to-be.
“The dude’s different, man,” said receivers coach Marques Hagans. “He’s a freak of nature. He’s gifted, he’s talented and he works hard.
“He’s not just a good blocker” Hagans said, “he’s a dominant blocker.”
Someone the rest of college football may get to know a lot better, soon enough.
“I’m sure they will,” Hagans said. “Sure they will …”
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.