Nick Dawkins

Nick Dawkins

Dawkins at 2025 Big Ten Media Day
Penn State Nittany Lions–No. 53
Position	Center
Class	Redshirt Senior
Personal information
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	298 lb (135 kg)
Career history
College	Penn State (2020–present)
High school	Parkland (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
Career highlights and awards
Wuerffel Trophy (2024)
Stats at ESPN

Nicholas Paul Dawkins is an American football center for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Early life and high school

Dawkins attended Parkland High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions over offers from schools such as Indiana, Northwestern, Boston College, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia. ^[1]

College career

During Dawkins first four seasons from 2020 through 2023, he appeared in 26 games for the Nittany Lions with no starts as he played behind future NFL draft picks such as Michal Menet, Juice Scruggs, and Hunter Nourzad. ^{[2] [3]} Ahead of the 2024 season, he finally became a starter for the Nittany Lions, becoming the team's starting center for the first time. ^[4] Dawkins was also named a team captain. ^[5] In 2024, Dawkins started in all of Penn State's games including their three playoff matchups, ^{[6] [7]} earning honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference honors. ^[8] He was also honored for his work off the field being named the winner of the Wuerffel Trophy and being named to the AFCA Good Works Team. ^[9]

Personal life

Dawkins is the son of former NBA champion Darryl Dawkins. ^{[10] [11]} He is also the cousin of Hall of Fame defensive back Brian Dawkins and NBA all-star Karl-Anthony Towns. ^[12]

References

1. Juliano, Joe (April 22, 2019). "Nick Dawkins, son of Sixers great Darryl, commits to Penn State". Inquirer.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
2. Hill, Avery (May 24, 2024). "Why Penn State center Nick Dawkins could be set for big 2024". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
3. Woloson, Sam (August 29, 2024). "Nick Dawkins Takes His Place as Penn State's Center of Attention". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
4. Wright, Branson (December 6, 2024). "Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins got inspiration to help others from father". Andscape. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
5. Scaracella, Rich (August 17, 2024). "Nick Dawkins, Dominic DeLuca are selected Penn State team captains". Daily Local. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
6. Bodani, Frank (January 10, 2025). "From Nick Singleton to Nick Dawkins: Which Penn State football players to return in 2025?". York Daily Record. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
7. Pickel, Greg (December 13, 2024). "Penn State center Nick Dawkins wins Wuerffel Trophy, college football's top community service award". On3.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
8. Bodani, Frank (December 12, 2024). "He's No. 1 nationally in community service: Why it's Penn State football's Nick Dawkins". York Daily Record. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
9. Flounders, Bob (December 13, 2024). "Penn State's Nick Dawkins wins the Wuerffel Trophy for community service and leadership achievement". PennLive.com. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
10. Bodani, Frank (June 6, 2024). "Penn State football anchor Nick Dawkins: Learning, living, leading from his famous father". York Daily Record. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
11. Groller, Keith (December 17, 2024). "Penn State's Nick Dawkins learned it's important to give back from his legendary father". The Morning Call. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
12. Rudel, Neil. "Dawkins at center of PSU leadership". Lewiston Sentinel. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

External links

• Penn State Nittany Lions bio