Penn State’s playmaking heir to Tyler Warren named one of the freakiest athletes across college football in 2025
Replacing Tyler Warren will be an impossible task as the Penn State Nittany Lions prepare for a College Football Playoff push this fall. Warren was a revelation in his senior season, leading the Big Ten with 104 receptions, and transforming the Penn State offense into a tight end-driven attack. It’s rare to see a multi-dimensional […]
Replacing Tyler Warren will be an impossible task as the Penn State Nittany Lions prepare for a College Football Playoff push this fall. Warren was a revelation in his senior season, leading the Big Ten with 104 receptions, and transforming the Penn State offense into a tight end-driven attack. It’s rare to see a multi-dimensional freak athlete at his position, and he was taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft without hesitation.
While Warren can’t be replaced, James Franklin does have another monstrously impressive athlete ready to do what he can to fill Warren’s shoes. Entering his fourth season with the program, Khalil Dinkins must thrive in a bigger role. He has only 23 receptions for 232 yards and five touchdowns to this point in his career.
That said, landing 71st on Bruce Feldman’s Freak List is a promising sign for Dinkins’ outlook. Even though Penn State added three transfer receivers in Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, and Kyron Hudson, Dinkins will be invaluable for senior quarterback Drew Allar.
Here’s what Feldman had to say about Dinkins in his annual Freaks List.
“The Nittany Lions have had a remarkable run of standout athletes at tight end. Dinkins, the son of former NFL tight end Darnell Dinkins, started six games last season, catching 14 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki proved last year he’s very creative in finding ways to get his best athletes the ball, and Dinkins is one of the Freakiest athletes in the country. At 6-4, 255 pounds, Dinkins ran a 4.50 40 (a school record for Penn State tight ends) and hit 21.8 mph. He broad jumped 10-0, clocked 4.30 in the shuttle, bench pressed 405 pounds, power cleaned 355 and squatted 550.”
Franklin recently praised Dinkins on his abilities and loves how he can do a little ibt of everything.
“I don’t think enough people talk about Khalil Dinkins,” Franklin said at Big Ten Media Days.
“He did all the dirty work last year. Every time we threw the ball to him, I think it was a touchdown, you know. That’s a little bit, you know, being a little dramatic there. But (he) caught a ton of touchdown passes. His touchdown-to-catch ratio was really good.”
“Big, strong, physical, and (Dawkins’) 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.”
