Get to know Penn State football's offensive walk-ons in the Class of 2022

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•02/27/22•

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Penn State signed 25 scholarship players in its Class of 2022, good for seventh-best according to the On3 Consensus. However, they’re not the only players set to join the team this summer.

Currently, the Nittany Lions are up to 14 preferred walk-ons following the addition of North Allegheny Ath. Kolin Dinkins last week. Long snapper Blaise Sokach-Minnick was the first preferred walk-on to join the class, committing back in July.

Get to know some of the newest Nittany Lions with our breakdown below. This update focuses on the offense.

OL Matthew Detisch

A native of Mars, Pa., Matthew Detisch attended two games at Penn State this past season against Villanova and Illinois. He also camped with the staff last summer and visited again Jan. 22 with a handful of other walk-on prospects. Detisch checks in at 6-foot-6, 297 pounds and is expected to play tackle.

“Committing to Penn State was the right choice for me for a multitude of reasons,” Detisch said. “On my game day visits, the atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Everyone at Penn State cares about football, but ultimately I would rather play at a Big Ten school than some of the schools recruiting me. The whole Penn State community is so welcoming and it makes me comfortable that I made the right choice.”

Detisch said that VMI, Robert Morris and Bucknell were a few other schools he considered.

RB Kolin Dinkins

Kolin Dinkins is the younger brother of Khalil Dinkins, a Class of 2021 tight end who just completed his freshman season. Because of that, he’s been on campus a bunch of times since last summer, including the Whiteout Camp back in June. Dinkins has been clocked at running a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and a 4.5-second shuttle. He also has experience at defensive back, totaling 63 tackles and an interception this past season.

OL Jim Fitzgerald

Jim Fitzgerald played at Archbishop Spalding in Severn, Md., where he teamed up with another Nittany Lion, safety Zakee Wheatley. He’s just under 6-foot-7 and already checks in at 325 pounds.

“I chose Penn State because I felt like i was getting the most attention from the staff compared to the other schools. I also feel like I have the best chance at Penn State because of the O-line situation. Also, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to play for Penn State,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald had preferred walk-on opportunities at Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. He also had a scholarship offer from Maine.

WR Jashaun Green

Jashaun Green is a State College native and the most recent player to announce his decision, joining the Nittany Lions last Saturday. A wide receiver, Green totaled 40 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2021 season. Listed at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, he visited Penn State back on Jan. 22. He’s been clocked at running a 4.8-second 40-yard dash.

“I decided to choose Penn State as my home for the next four years because it was close by and it was always my dream to be a Penn State Nittany Lion. From a Little Lion to a Nittany Lion,” Green said.

Green had offers from Edinboro and Clarion. Lackawanna College was also pursuing him.

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TE Kolt Pearce

Kolt Pearce played at the Gilman School in Baltimore. He visited Penn State one time, attending the game against Illinois in October. He went on to commit to Penn State in November and was one of two to sign with PSU in December, joining Matt Detisch.

“I felt comfortable when I visited Penn State and with the coaches,” said Pearce. “I felt wanted and welcomed by the Penn State family. It felt like the right decision to make.”

Pearce said he also talked to Clemson, Florida, Houston, Maryland, Navy, Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

WR Robert Rossi

Robert Rossi played at Scranton Prep and earned all-state honors this past year, totaling 81 receptions for 1,513 yards and 20 touchdowns. He emerged on the staff’s radar back on June 13 when he camped with James Franklin and his assistants.

“I wanted to commit here because it was always one of my dream schools,” said Rossi. “I always wanted to complete at a really high level like Penn State.”

Rossi received interest from Delaware and Villanova, among others.

OL Dominic Rulli

Dominic Rulli played at Taft in Watertown, Conn. He originally planned to walk-on at West Virginia, but then ended up switching to Penn State. He also camped with PSU back in July, and that’s when the staff’s interest really got going.

“I wanted to commit to Penn State because of the overall feeling of family and betterment of the player,” Rulli said. “When talking to Coach [Phil] Trautwein, I felt that he as a coach wanted to better everyone in his room and teach them to become a great person in the locker room, in the classroom, as well as a warrior on the field. Another factor was that I’ve been a Penn State fan my whole life. Also, knowing that I have family members that are alumni and now being able to bet on myself and live my dream.

Rulli had interest from Brown, Columbia, Kentucky and West Virginia.

OL Samuel Siafa

Samuel Siafa played at Downingtown West with OL Drew Shelton. He’s also the younger cousin of Fatorma Mulbah. Siafa only started playing in 2020 and primarily played defensive line in high school. However, we expect Penn State to start him on the offensive side.

“The reason why I choose to commit to Penn State is that it feels like a home away from home,” Siafa said. “When I started playing football in late 2020, I was already behind in recruiting, but playing with my cousin, Fatorma Mulbah, has always been a dream of mine. Being able to play with my family and along with my classmate, Drew Shelton, is more than I can ask for. I’m very excited for the upcoming future.”

Siafa also had the opportunity to also walk-on at Oklahoma State. Valparaiso, Oklahoma Baptist and West Chester also showed interest.

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