Nick Dawkins: Penn State Center and Ravens UDFA

This profile has been updated as of May 13, 2026 to include Dawkins’ completed post-draft result. Nick Dawkins should be covered as a former Penn State center and Baltimore Ravens undrafted free agent, not as a current Penn State offensive lineman.

Penn State Career

Dawkins was one of Penn State’s veteran offensive linemen and a respected locker-room presence. Onward State reported that he appeared in 54 games overall and started every game at center over his final two seasons.

His profile matters because center play affects more than blocking. It shapes protection calls, run-game communication, and quarterback comfort. During a period that included Drew Allar’s injury, the firing of James Franklin, and a late-season push under Terry Smith, that kind of communication mattered.

Leadership And Awards

Dawkins’ Penn State value was also tied to leadership. StateCollege.com reported in January 2025 that he returned for his sixth and final season after winning the Wuerffel Trophy, an award connected to community service and leadership. Onward State’s December 2025 draft-declaration report also described him as a team captain and one of the most vocal leaders during a difficult season.

Those details are more reliable than invented locker-room quotes. Dawkins’ public record already supports the leadership angle without adding unverifiable behind-the-scenes material.

Draft Process And Pro Day

StateCollege.com’s April 2026 draft profile listed Dawkins at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds at Pro Day, with a 32-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-4 broad jump, and 5.16-second 40-yard dash. GoPSUSports’ 2026 NFL Draft Central listed the same Pro Day measurements.

StateCollege.com projected him as undrafted before the draft, which matched the final outcome. The useful wording now is not a future draft guess; it is that Dawkins entered the draft process and then signed after the draft.

NFL Endpoint

Penn State University’s 2026 NFL Draft recap listed Dawkins among seven Nittany Lions who signed as unrestricted free agents after the draft, with the Baltimore Ravens. NFL.com’s undrafted free-agent tracker also listed Nick Dawkins, center, Penn State, under Baltimore.

That is the correct endpoint for this article. Dawkins did not return to Penn State for 2026; he moved into the Ravens’ rookie group.

Roster Takeaway

For Penn State’s 2026 roster, Dawkins belongs in former-player and transition context. The current offensive line evaluation should focus on players still on the roster and transfers competing for live snaps.

The center-specific takeaway is that Penn State had to replace not only snaps, but also communication and leadership. That is a real football issue for a new quarterback room and new offensive staff.

That replacement question now belongs to the current roster. Dawkins’ archived page should help readers understand why center was a meaningful transition point, while the active depth chart should focus on Penn State linemen still competing in 2026.