Former tight end Darnell Dinkins starred at the University of Pittsburgh back in the late 1990s and spent eight years in the NFL with the Steelers, Giants, Browns, Ravens and Saints. Now, Dinkins’ son, Khalil Dinkins, is on the verge of following in his father’s footsteps.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver/tight end Dinkins (North Allegheny/Wexford, Pa.) first began procuring offers from a few smaller Division I programs, before Syracuse; Boston College; UVA; and his father’s alma mater, Pitt, came through in January. Then, just in the last couple weeks, Dinkins has added scholarships from the likes of Michigan, Penn State, Georgia Tech and, most recently, Maryland.
“My recruiting has been real crazy lately, but I’m very blessed and excited to get all these offers. I’m excited to see what these colleges have in store for me,” Dinkins said. “I’m just going to keep working hard and staying humble throughout this process.”
Dinkins insisted he does not have any early leaders as his recruitment has just begun to take off. But he admitted the recent looks from PSU and Michigan had his attention.
“Both of those are Big Ten schools and major programs,” Dinkins said. “I guess you could say Penn State was a big one for me. I’ve been down there before for 7-on-7s and visits, and I like the campus and coaches. The coaches all talk about the potential I have there and how I could fit in there. Penn State’s a great school. Michigan, I’m still researching them, but I’m definitely going to visit there at some point. I’ve heard great things about Michigan.”
Naturally, Pitt is going to be involved as well. Dinkins has visited the nearby university on several occasions and said he’s in close contact with coach Pat Narduzzi and assistant Rob Harley.
“Obviously my dad played there and I wouldn’t mind playing at the same school as him,” Dinkins said. “I wouldn’t say it makes Pitt stand out more than the other schools recruiting me, but it’s a good school and I like the coaches there.”
As far as Maryland is concerned, Dinkins has just begun to research the Terps. UMD area recruiter Elijah Brooks is on the North Allegheny prospect; Maryland envisions Dinkins as a potential tight end.
“Coach Brooks came up to my school before in January, and he’s been talking to me and my teammate,” Dinkins said. “We’re just getting to know each other. We had a good talk and he offered me [Feb. 24]. I know Maryland is a Big Ten school, and I want to major in business, and I want to check out their business program. So we’ll see with them.”
Dinkins added that he’s still in the research phase in regards to Georgia Tech, UVA, BC and his other suitors as well. He’s visited Pitt, Penn State, Akron and Michigan (for a 7 on 7) and will likely check out the Wolverines and Nittany Lions again later this offseason.
“But I haven’t really locked down any dates yet,” Dinkins said. “I haven’t really thought about all the schools I want to see. I’m just taking things in right now.”
Dinkins, who had 12 receptions last year in a run-first offense, said he’d like to be a receiver at the next level, but isn’t opposed to tight end. UVA, meanwhile, has offered him for outside linebacker.
