 Pinkney used a medical redshirt as a true freshman after suffering an injury in the season opener.He was named to Athlon Sports' Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team after catching 22 passes for 274 receiving yards and two touchdowns and posted 22 receptions, 273 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore.He entered his redshirt junior season on the watchlist for the John Mackey Award.