For sixth-year center Nick Dawkins, the 2025 season represents the culmination of a long climb through Penn State’s program. The son of late NBA legend Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins has evolved from developmental backup to the tone-setter for one of the Big Ten’s most respected offensive lines.
Allentown Roots and Recruiting
Dawkins stayed home for college after starring at Parkland High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he played football and basketball while carrying a 3.5 GPA. Penn State offered early, and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein convinced Dawkins he could anchor the interior once his frame filled out. He signed with the Nittany Lions in the 2020 class, arriving as a 6-foot-4, 320-pound mauler with a defensive lineman’s mentality.
Development Years
Dawkins redshirted in 2020 and spent the next two seasons working behind veteran centers Mike Miranda and Juice Scruggs. He carved out special-teams snaps, learned the protections inside Yurcich’s offense, and reshaped his body, cutting weight to increase mobility. Teammates rave about his film-room approach and how frequently he quizzes younger linemen on blitz rules.
Breakthrough in 2023-24
By 2023, Dawkins had earned rotational snaps at both center and guard. His breakout came the following fall when he started all 16 games of Penn State’s 2024 Big Ten championship run, earning honorable-mention all-conference honors from the media. The Nittany Lions finished top-15 nationally in rushing yards per game, and both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen credited Dawkins for his pre-snap communication and combo-block chemistry.
Captain of the 2025 Offense
Voted a team captain for the second straight year, Dawkins has shouldered even more responsibility in 2025. With Drew Allar sidelined, Dawkins is the voice at the line, sliding protections for redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer and rallying a locker room that endured a midseason coaching change. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed just one sack through eight games while playing more than 550 snaps.
Locker-Room Presence and Future Outlook
Coaches describe Dawkins as an extension of the staff because of his willingness to mentor redshirt freshmen and his constant energy in meetings. He graduated with a degree in telecommunications and is working toward a master’s in organizational leadership, preparing for life after football. NFL scouts view him as a potential Day 3 draft pick or priority free agent thanks to his experience, size (6-foot-4, 325 pounds), and leadership traits.
Nick Dawkins may not have the highlight-reel plays of his skill-position teammates, but Penn State’s offense runs through the cadence of its veteran center. In a season defined by turbulence, Dawkins provides the stability and accountability the program needs up front.