North Allegheny High School has turned into somewhat of a pipeline for James Franklin and Penn State as Joey Porter Jr. in 2019 and Khalil Dinkins in 2021 pledged themselves to the Nittany Lions out of Wexford. The trend is continuing for PSU, and it’s a familiar name for fans.
Kolin Dinkins, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound running back/safety out of North Allegheny and brother of Khalil, committed to Penn State Thursday via Twitter as a preferred walk-on over an offer from Robert Morris. Kolin and Khalil are the sons of former Schenley and Pitt star and NFL tight end Darnell Dinkins.
“It’s been a long journey and I’ve decided to become a Nittany Lion … WE ARE!” Dinkins wrote on Twitter.
Dinkins will continue his collegiate career as a defensive back, potentially joining the same defensive secondary as his former teammate Joey Porter. As a senior at North Allegheny, he racked up 63 tackles, a sack and an interception returned for a 95-yard touchdown.
The younger Dinkins joins a 2022 recruiting class, which ranks sixth in the nation, according to 247Sports. He joins fellow walk-ons in Jashaun Green, Dominic Rulli, Will Paton, Samuel Siafa, Jackson Pryts and Jim Fitzgerald.
Porter has established himself as a key figure in Pitt’s defensive secondary, recording 51 tackles (39 solo), one interception and four passes defended in 2021. The elder Dinkins redshirted as a freshman in 2021 and will be expected to challenge for playing time as a tight end in 2022.
With some losses in the secondary entering the 2022 season, Dinkins could look to make an immediate impact as a tall, rangy corner in Penn State’s system.
Don’t you mean Penn St’s defensive secondary