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Mark Selders

Dawkins Named To Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Redshirt senior recognized for community service efforts

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior offensive lineman Nick Dawkins landed on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team on Tuesday.

 

Dawkins was one of 22 student-athletes named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes exemplary community service.

 

By being one of 11 FBS players selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Dawkins is also a semifinalist for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, announced later this year.

 

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.

 

Nick Dawkins · R-Sr. · OL · 6-4 · 298 · Allentown, Pa. · Parkland

  • Nick founded the Dawkins Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering communities through youth engagement. The foundation has awarded three scholarships to high school seniors and collaborates with the Lehigh Valley YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters to provide book bags for children and teens in need.
  • Dawkins has interned with the YMCA of Centre County, where he developed a multi-sports camp and an Olympic Games camp as part of the YMCA’s summer youth programming. Additionally, he volunteers at Parkland sports camps.
  • Nick is the president of Penn State’s chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which raises funds for rare disease research, notably through its “Lift for Life” workout competition each June.
  • Nick also serves on the board of Devon Still’s “Still Strong Foundation”, which supports childhood cancer initiatives.
  • Last year, Nick chaired the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee for Penn State’s student-athlete advisory committee.
  • Was Penn State’s Public Service Award winner in 2023 and won the team’s Letterman’s Club Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding graduate.
  • Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism management.
  • Working on a graduate certificate in organization development and change essentials.
  • Has appeared in 28 games, including two starts, as a Nittany Lion.
  • Has earned three Academic All-Big Ten honors.
  • Through two games, Penn State’s offense ranks first in the country in pass efficiency (209.67), fourth in yards per completion (17.56) and 22nd in rushing yards per game (228.0).
  • Penn State has 14 plays of 20+ yards (eight passes, six rushes) and ranks fifth in the country in 10-plus yard play percentage (29.91), sixth in 20-plus (11.97) and third in 40-plus (4.27).
  • PSU is first in the nation in percentage of 15+ yard pass plays (34.21), 13th in 12+ yard runs (16.46) and fifth in big play percentage (22.22).
  • The Nittany Lions did not allow a sack against West Virginia.

 

This year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was narrowed down from 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from around the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field.

 

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.

 

Fans can vote for the AllState Wuerffel Trophy by November 15 at ESPN.com/Allstate.

 

No. 10/8 Penn State welcomes Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

 

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.