Mitchell

Tinsley

The Commanders have been fortunate throughout most of the season, boasting one of the healthier rosters in the league. Curtis Samuel, who missed Week 9 with a toe injury is active and can be treated as a WR3 against a Seahawks defense that has been frequently targeted in the slot.

Tinsley (6’0/199) was one of three receivers to play with former Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe in 2021. After going for 1,403 yards and 14 scores in that season, Tinsley opted for tougher competition by transferring to Penn State for his final season. There’s no denying the numbers simply weren’t there for him in 2022, as he posted a pedestrian 55-577-5 in Big Ten play. Still, one of the better assets of his game – his contested catch ability, remained intact. Tinsley hauled in 10-of-16 contested targets last season and has a 52.9 contested target catch rate. With 4.6 speed and underwhelming quickness, Tinsley’s ability to win battles and high-point the ball are more of a necessity to his game. He could wow with some impressive plays in training camp but will probably have to battle to make a 53-man roster.

Currently, the 12th ranked receiver on Mock Draft Database, Washington has had a quiet two weeks for the Lions. The third-year receiver has just six receptions for 90 yards on the year and caught four passes for 60 yards last weekend against Ohio. With former teammate Jahan Dotson now with the Washington Commanders, Washington was expected to fill in as the WR1 for Penn State. However, the arrival of transfer receiver Mitchell Tinsley has created some stiff target competition. Tinsley is ranked behind Washington as the 13th receiver on Mock Draft Database. With a tough road game against Auburn on tap, Washington has an opportunity to catch the eyes of scouts on the SEC stage.

Tinsley (6'/1205) may have played his last game as a Hilltopper after entering the transfer portal on December 7th, but choosing to play in a game where quarterback Bailey Zappe was gunning for FBS passing records. Tinsely had arguably the best play on the day when he and Zappe hooked up for a 75-yard touchdown pass that featured Tinsley breaking away from several tacklers on his way to the end zone. Tinsley’s second touchdown catch on the afternoon came on a two-yard pass from Zappe, that ended up setting the record for most touchdown passes (61) in single-season FBS history, as he brings his 2021 season to a close on a strong note. Tinsley’s first and perhaps only season with Western Kentucky ends with 87 receptions for 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Tinsley (6'1/205) will reportedly play in Western Kentucky’s bowl game against Appalachian State, which is set to be played on December 18th. On the season, Tinsley has caught 80 passes for 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns, and is averaging 16.2 yards per reception. In last week’s C-USA conference championship loss to UTSA, Tinsely caught nine passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, which included a 60-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Tinsley will likely look to latch on with a Power 5 team for his senior season in hopes of building on a successful 2021 campaign.

Tinsley (6'1/205) got the Hilltoppers on the board early in this one when he hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass on a deep throw from quarterback Bailey Zappe. His touchdown would be the only touchdown Western Kentucky would muster in the first half, but Tinsley would catch another touchdown pass, a 12-yarder, in the third quarter to cut UTSA’s lead to 42-26. Tinsley has now gone for 100+ yards in three of his last four games, and has a receiving line of 79-1,300-12 on the year. He, along with wide receiver Jerreth Sterns, have been two of Zappe’s most consistent targets this season.

Tinsley (6'1/205) didn’t score in this one, but managed to haul in nine passes on the day, as the redshirt junior wide receiver has now caught 28 passes for 446 yards four touchdowns in his last three games. On the year, Tinsley has now caught 71 passes for 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns, as he and quarterback Bailey Zappe have teamed up to torment opposing defenses all season. Tinsley and Zappe now set their sights toward UTSA, who they will face next weekend in the C-USA conference championship game.

Tinsley (6'1"/205) has put together a ridiculous last two weeks, with a 10/194/1 line last week and now a 9/164/2 line. He had a complete performance, great catches, contested grabs, wiggle in the open field and more on his way to another career day. Tinsley broke 1000 yards for the season with this game, the second Hilltopper to do so this season, and he also hit double-digit touchdowns. WKU and QB Bailey Zappe have a chance at history with how they have been playing, and Tinsley will be a big part of that with how he’s been playing recently. They draw Marshall next week, a prime chance to do even more damage.

The Hilltoppers terrorized the Owls’ beleaguered secondary all afternoon long. Tinsley struck with a 65-yard scoring strike from QB Bailey Zappe in the middle of the second quarter and hit paydirt again in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard Zappe TD throw. Tinsley is up to a 53-878-8 receiving line through 10 games. His 6-4 Hilltoppers host FAU next weekend.

Tinsley is the “other” wideout right now in this offense with Jerreth Sterns already going for 93 catches on the season, but on any other team his numbers would lead the club by a good margin. Most teams, anyway. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wideout has scored five times in this pass-happy offense, and he should approach the thousand-yard mark if he can stay healthy. He’ll be involved again next Saturday against MTSU.