North Allegheny’s Khalil Dinkins is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the WPIAL, with the potential to play either offense or defense in college.
While that future position is yet to be determined, Dinkins made a decision on where he’ll play next season and that will be for James Franklin and Penn State. Dinkins made his announcement via Twitter on Wednesday.
“Experiencing being recruited by top coaches is something so amazing that I will never forget,” he wrote. “I am so very thankful for all the coaches that have shown interest in me these last few years. I would also like to thank my parents who have shaped me into the man I have become today. I love you both. I would like to thank my coaches all throughout the three years I have been with you guys. You have taught me what it means to never be complacent, that we should always strive to be better than we were the previous day. I will always be grateful for that.
“To my teammates, football and basketball, thank you for being my brothers on and off the field. Thank you for pushing me to strive for more. Most importantly, I want to thank my whole family, they have been with me every part of the way. From a diaper to a uniform they have always showed me their love and support. We have put in so much time together so I can chase my dreams, push for the starts and never stop going. With all that said and done, with all my family’s love and support, I am very excited to announce that I Khalil Dinkins am 100% committed to Penn State University.”
Dinkins becomes the second North Allegheny player in the last couple years to commit to Penn State, joining cornerback Joey Porter, Jr., who was recently named a starter for the Lions. It’s a bit of a blow to Pitt that both of these players have ties to Pitt/Pittsburgh football as Khalil’s father, Darnell, stared for Pitt in the late 90’s, while Joey Porter, Sr. was a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl winning linebacker and coach for Pitt’s South Side neighbors, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dinkins becomes the 14th member of Penn State’s Class of 2021 and selected the Nittany Lions over other offers from Pitt, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Virginia.
PSN is told that Franklin and Penn State are recruiting Dinkins to play either tight end or wide receiver.
With this decision, Dinkins becomes the ninth WPIAL player in the Class of 2021 to commit to a Power Five program.
Well… Can you see the end of Narduzzi’s time at Pitt coming? If he can’t even get the son of a former Pitt star, what does that say.
His coach says “once PSU got in the mix it was his top choice with BC close behind. Who was his main recruiter for Pitt? I hope it wasn’t Salem, as he can’t recruit or coach.