New Penn State receiver Mitchell Tinsley talks picking the Lions and looks ahead to 2022 season

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State made one of the biggest transfer portal splashes of the offseason when it brought receiver Mitchell Tinsley aboard from Western Kentucky.

Now, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., native is looking to show that his All-Conference USA form can transition to the Big Ten.

Tinsley was a star for the Hilltoppers last season. He caught 87 passes for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns. He decided to enter the portal in December to take his talents to the Power-5. And, with Jahan Dotson moving on, it made Penn State a logical fit and easy choice. And, the style of offense the Lions play didn’t hurt, either.

“I mean, to start from the top, Mike Yurcich, his career speaks for itself,” Tinsley said. “The type of offenses that he’s ran in the past, and I felt like, with Jahan having the season he had last year, and him leaving, and with the pieces that were coming back; they have a lot of good pieces here with our wideout room, the QB room, so I felt like it was the right fit for me.

“Honestly, I just feel like it was a great opportunity. I love the pieces that were coming back and I felt like right this was the best thing for me.

Tinsley isn’t looking to fill Dotson’s shoes

Tinsley said he’s only talked to Dotson on a few occasions. But, it’s clear that fans are expecting him to simulate what No. 5 did a year ago. And, by the way, Tinsley is now wearing that same jersey number.

That said, Tinsley doesn’t feel like he needs to fill the sizable shoes the first-round NFL Draft pick of the Washington Commanders left behind. But, he also realizes that if he performs as Dotson did, he could hear his name called early in the pro selection process whenever that time comes. However, all told, the receiver believes it will take a group effort to move the position room forward.

“I feel like if look at it like that, it kind of builds pressure on people,” Tinsley said. “I feel like, for the most part, it’s kind of just next man up, [and] I feel like that’s the most important thing, for the next person to be ready.

Penn State has plenty of options at receiver this fall. Tinsley is expected to star beside Parker Washington. But, beyond those two, the Lions also have KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Malick Meiga, and numerous first- and second-year players who could find a role, such as Harrison Wallace III.

“I feel like we’re deep this year,” Tinsley said. “I feel like anybody can go first string, second string third string, like, everybody is ready to play. That’s what’s going to make us really good.”

Head coach James Franklin feels the same way.

“I do feel like the group has the ability to match or exceed the production from the wide receiver unit last year,” he said.

“Now, whether it’s a one-for-one tradeoff, I’m not sure. But if you look at the group last year and where KeAndre I think is going to be this year and then the production that Mitch Tinsley has had in his career, and obviously Parker, we feel really good about that group.

Franklin, Stubblefield, size up Penn State receiver Mitchell Tinsley

Penn State pushed to land Tinsley almost as soon as he entered the transfer portal. It’s not hard to see why. His production, albeit at the Group of Five level, was immense. And, he was one of the top players available at a clear position of need for the Nittany Lions. He quickly flashed during spring practice and has made strong impressions, too, to start fall camp.

Tinsley said he was able to quickly fit in with his new teammates. It didn’t hurt, either, that he is roommates with quarterback Sean Clifford, which allowed the two to form an early bond. All of it has impressed both Franklin and receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield.

“I think Mitch has already had so much production in college, and he’s super mature,” Franklin said. “And he also understands some of the things that maybe the young guys don’t understand.

“I think he’s got a chance to have a really, really productive year. Kind of all the things we’ve talked about is kind of how he is as a player. He’s dependable. He’s got really good ball skills and toughness and maturity. So I think he’s one of those guys that you’re going to know what you’re getting pretty much week in, week out from him.”

Added Stubblefield:

“He’s shown the ability to learn multiple positions. He’s shown the ability to be consistent with his hands, with his route running, and learn a new system, learn a new route structure, and then also build relationships with the players. Because that’s one thing, anytime you’re new to a program, it’s with a young guy or a transfer, you got to build relationships, build friendships, and so he’s done a good job of that.”

What is the best part of Tinsley’s game?

It doesn’t take too many highlights to realize all of what Stubblefield says is true. Tinsley is a polished route runner who adds size, speed, strength, hand-eye coordination, and big-play ability to the Penn State receivers room. What does he feel he does best?

“I feel like I do pretty much everything well,” Tinsley said. ‘There are thing things that I can get better at, but as of right now, I feel like I do everything at a high level. For me, I feel like I don’t want to have any weaknesses in my game. That’s really important to me.”

And, he believes all of that will translate to Penn State and the Big Ten right out of the gate.

“At the end of the day, I just have to believe in myself,” Tinsley said. “I’m not really looking at it as replacing or filling any shoes. I just want to do my job to the best of my ability. This is football. It’s not anything different than what I’ve played before. I played against Big Ten opponents and top players. At the end of the day, I’m just focused on doing my job and executing at a high level.”