UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior offensive lineman Nick Dawkins landed on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list on Thursday, while junior running back Nicholas Singleton earned a spot on the Paul Hornung Award watch list.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, named after Danny Wuerffel, 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Florida, is considered college football’s premier award for community service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel’s commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.
The Paul Hornung Award, presented by Texas Roadhouse, is given annually by the Louisville sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in major college football.
Nick Dawkins · R-Sr. · OL · 6-4 · 298 · Allentown, Pa. · Parkland
- Has appeared in 26 games as a Nittany Lion.
- Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism management.
- Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.
- Was Penn State’s Public Service Award winner in 2023 and won the team’s Letterman’s Club Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding graduate.
- Appeared in all 13 games on offense and special teams last season.
- Helped Penn State to tally at least 400 yards in six games, including a season-best 586 yards at Michigan State.
- Penn State did not allow a sack against Delaware, Iowa or Rutgers.
- The Nittany Lions rushed for over 200 yards in five games and threw for at least 200 yards in eight games.
- The Nittany Lions had multiple rushing touchdowns in eight games last season.
Nicholas Singleton · Jr. · RB · 6-0 · 227 · Shillington, Pa. · Governor Mifflin
- Named to the Maxwell Award Watch List.
- Earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media as a running back and honorable mention honors from the coaches and media as a return specialist.
- Named Penn State’s Offensive MVP along with Kaytron Allen.
- Was an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
- Voted All-Big Ten third team by the coaches and media in 2022.
- Owns 1,813 career rushing yards and 20 career rushing touchdowns, ranking 20th all-time at Penn State in both categories.
- Singleton has 16 career runs of 20+ yards and 2,782 career all-purpose yards.
- Has five career 100-yard rushing games and six career games with multiple rushing touchdowns.
- The Pennsylvania native ranks 10th all-time at Penn State with a 24.5 kick return average and has a 100-yard kick return touchdown.
- Finished 2023 season with 171 rushes for 752 yards and eight touchdowns. Added 26 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Tallied 13 kick returns or 313 yards (24.1 average) with a long return of 51 yards.
- Ranked third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards per game (105.6) and tied-fifth in rushing touchdowns (8).
- Started the 2023 season with 70 rushing yards and a 2-yard touchdown against West Virginia.
- Against Delaware, scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns.
- At Illinois, scored on a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter, while totaling 140 all-purpose yards.
- Tallied a team-high 21 carries and 80 rushing yards at Northwestern, adding a career-best six receptions for 39 yards. Scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter and a 2-yard reception in the third quarter.
- Notched 50 rushing yards and a 2-yard score against Indiana and ran for 61 yards against Rutgers.
- Tallied 118 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against Michigan State, including runs of 20 and 24 yards. Set a career high with 68 receiving yards, including a 53-yard reception.
- Had a 51-yard kick return at Maryland and a 50-yard return against Indiana.
Announced recently, the Wuerffel Foundation partnered with Allstate to unify college football’s highest community service honors. Eleven of the Watch List nominees will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be Allstate Wuerffel Trophy semifinalists.
The 2024 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by an illustrious national voting committee, including a fan vote component, and announced on ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12th. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place on February 1, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission in honor of the late football legend and Louisville native Paul Hornung. The winner will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award Dinner in Louisville in March 2025.
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason Watch Lists:
Drew Allar – Maxwell Award
Abdul Carter – Nagurski Trophy
Nick Dawkins – Wuerffel Trophy
Tyler Duzansky – Mannelly Award
Nicholas Singleton – Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award
Sal Wormley – Outland Trophy
Penn State's season opener at West Virginia on Aug. 31 will kick at noon on FOX. The Nittany Lions return 42 lettermen from last year’s squad – 17 on offense, 22 on defense and three on special teams and bring back 16 starters – seven on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams.
For club and ticket information for the 2024 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.