As Penn State looks to replace the talents of NFL bound receiver Jahan Dotson the Nittany Lions might just end up leaning on a new face to do it. Enter Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley, a talented Missouri product who could very well answer those Jahan Dotson succession prayers.
“He’s a really experienced guy who comes really game ready,” Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said earlier this week. “He has a lot of experience, I don’t think there’s going to be a moment where he’s wide-eyed, I think he’s going to be anticipating tough competition and thrive in that type of setting. He’s a dependable type guy although the system is new to him, once we get through the growing pains I think you’re going see sound fundamentals. He’s a ready-made wide receiver.”
It’s hard not to like Tinsley’s film. He’s fast, dependable, good with his hands and runs solid routes. If that sounds like the guy he’s about to replace you’d be right.
Of course Tinsley himself would probably be quick to point out the likes of returning star Parker Washington and the rising stock of KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Malick Meiga. The trio could end up being Penn State’s receiver grouping come this fall, but plenty of time will pass as Yurcich and head coach James Franklin sort that answer out.
“Football wise and socially all those other things, I think he’s a great fit,” Franklin said. “I think that’s been good. It’s what you’d expect with a guy that’s played as much football as he has. He’s polished. He’s poised. He’s got really good ball skills. He knows how to run routes. I think it’s been really good for him from a testing perspective, to be able to see the guys he’s competing against what they run, what they jump all those types of things to kind of test kind of his some of his explosive numbers and where he may want to improve.”
“But [it has been] good and what you’d expect out of a guy with as much production as he’s had, and he’s picked up the offense pretty well. But the rest of spring and summer will be really important for him.”
Tinsley comes to Penn State having made 87 receptions for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. averaging 100.1 yards receiving per game and 16.1 yards per reception.
If he does that – or anything near that – at Penn State, consider those prayers answered.
