Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524108
5 4 A U G U S T 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / 2 0 2 4 F O O T B A L L P R E V I E W / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / B ringing up the name of Penn State's projected starting center, Nick Dawkins, often elicits the same re- sponse. The fifth-year senior is a leader, a prospective captain and, despite playing one of the game's less glamorous posi- tions, one of the faces that the program is happy to trot out there. That's all well and good. Dawkins' charismatic personality and maturity are assets, after all. He was Penn State's Public Service Award winner, is a three- time Academic All-Big Ten selection and won the Letterman's Club Scholarship, which is presented to one of the team's outstanding graduates. But his off-the-field reputation is only part of his story. "It's more to my mom than it is to me," Dawkins joked. "That's the man my mom and my dad raised. It's important, don't get me wrong. I take pride in the man that I am. I take pride in doing the right things. I'm glad people see that side of me." The other part — one that hasn't been talked about as much throughout his ca- reer — is what he wants to highlight head- ing into the 2024 season. Dawkins sees himself as a football player. As was the case a decade ago with offensive lineman John Urschel, whose talents as a math- ematician sometimes overshadowed his football career, Dawkins has been known best for what he's accomplished away from the field. Heading into his first ca- reer start, he's looking to change that. "I've been here for a couple of years now. I've played some pretty good foot- ball. Now it's time for me to play some really great football," he said. "I'm just so excited to show everybody, but most importantly, I want to show myself that I am the person I think I am on the field." Dawkins played in all 13 games for the Lions last year. He platooned at center behind Hunter Nourzad and also saw ac- tion at guard, as well as on special teams. Dawkins missed most of the 2022 season with an injury, but he has seen action in 26 games. Offensive line coach Phil Traut- wein hopes to capitalize on that experi- ence after losing three starters to the NFL. "He's just a great kid, a great person," Trautwein said. "He works his tail off. He's never wavered, he always just took coaching. There were some times when he was really flustered and frustrated, but he listened to us and he understood how hard it is and what it really takes. Now it's his opportunity, and he's doing every- thing he can to capitalize on it." Dawkins, too, has high hopes for his first year as a starter on the pivot. "I have all the confidence in the world CENTER STAGE After a four-year apprenticeship, Nick Dawkins prepares to seize his opportunity S E A N F I T Z | S E A N . F I T Z @ O N 3 . C O M Quick Facts Position coach: Phil Trautwein (fifth season) Returning starters: G Olaivavega Ioane (5 ca- reer starts), G JB Nelson (8), G Sal Wormley (26) Departing starters: C Hunter Nourzad (21), T Olumuyiwa Fashanu (21), T Caedan Wallace (40) Projected new starters: C Nick Dawkins, T Drew Shelton, T Anthony Donkoh or Nolan Rucci Top reserves: G Alex Birchmeier, C/G Cooper Cousins, T Chimdy Onoh, T J'ven Williams Newcomers: T Eagan Boyer, C/G Caleb Brewer, C/G Cooper Cousins, C/G Donnie Harbour, T Nolan Rucci, T Garrett Sexton Dawkins is favored to start at center for the Nittany Lions heading into his fifth and final college season. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER