Penn State started the season feeling confident about three offensive line spots, even though they lost three players to the NFL.
Guards Sal Wormley and Vega Ioane, as well as left tackle Drew Shelton, were experienced.PSU was bringing in fifth-year Lion Nick Dawkins as a center and Anthony Donkoh as a new right tackle.
Before sustaining a permanent injury during Penn State’s late-season victory over Minnesota, Donkoh was a reliable performer. Since taking his place, Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci has improved.
Before the season began, Dawkins was appointed captain of the team. Before PSU’s season at West Virginia started, it was obvious that he was respected by the Lions’ coaching staff and players.
When Penn State plays SMU in the playoffs today at Beaver Stadium, Dawkins and his linemates will try to make space for Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to run.
Dawkins’ off-field efforts and on-field accomplishments reveal a lot about Penn State’s center development process.
Juice Scruggs (2022) and Hunter Nourzad (2023), the two players that started at center before to Dawkins, were both selected in the draft.
Having started all 13 games for the 11-2 Lions, the 6-4, 298-pound Dawkins claimed he didn’t feel under any pressure to match Nourzad and Suggs’ performance at State College.
Dawkins stated earlier this week that it didn’t feel intimidating at all.
To be honest, I’ve had to fill other people’s shoes my entire life. They were big shoes, both literally and symbolically, to be honest. Therefore, no, I didn’t feel any pressure.
Dawkins is the son of Darryl Dawkins, a former star with the Philadelphia 76ers who died in 2015. Darryl had a large personality and was a big man.
“When that is asked of you, that is precisely why I came here, why I came to Penn State to play, to start, to contribute in a serious manner,” Dawkins stated.
Backpedaling is difficult, Dawkins continued.
For the benefit of the men in the room, the team meeting room, and all those involved in this program, you rise up and carry out your assigned tasks.
Dawkins was just awarded the recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy, which is given to the FBS athlete who excels in leadership both on and off the field and in community work. The conference’s media named him an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
However, as Penn State’s offense struggles against a disruptive SMU defense today, Dawkins’ attention is on the field. The Lions scored 518 offensive yards, 292 of which came on the run, in their most recent game versus Oregon in the Big Ten championship game.
According to Dawkins, the offensive line as a whole has kept improving spectacularly.
Considering our most recent game, I get excited when I consider where we’ve come from.
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