TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Penn State’s Nick Dawkins (53) runs onto the field with teammates during a game against Rutgers at Beaver Stadium last fall.
Nick Dawkins is considered the favorite to open the season as Penn State’s starting center, but his patience and perseverance with the Nittany Lions are finally paying off.
And while Dawkins can’t help but think about how proud his famous father, former Philadelphia 76ers player and NBA legend Darryl Dawkins, would be, he finds solace in the lessons he learned and the time they spent together before Dawkins’ death in 2015 at age 58.
“Any kind of person in your life that has taught you and shown you how to act is huge,” Dawkins said during the media day: “I miss him very much and I miss being able to tell him and think about things that I have to do myself, but that’s also part of being a man.”
“I am so grateful for the lessons I learned from him in the short time he was a part of my life.”
Dawkins (No. 53) is from Allentown and has learned behind Juice Scruggs and Hunter Nourzad in recent years.
Now it’s his turn and he tries to seize the moment.
“I have experienced some ups and downs,” he said. “It’s my fifth year. I would love to get on the field sooner, but that’s God’s plan. I can only be the best version of myself. I’ve worked my ass off every day to make that happen.”
Dawkins (6’4″, 295 lbs) has impressed new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki with his leadership skills.
“One thing I can say about Nick Dawkins is that he is unique,” Kotelnicki said: “His maturity, his authenticity, it just screams when you interact with him, and I always tell our staff, ‘You can never take for granted the kind of leader and human being that he is, because he is rare.'”
Two regular players from last season return for Penn State – guard Sal Wormley and tackle Drew Shelton.
Other top candidates for the starting role are Nolan Rucci (tackle), Olaivavega Ioane (guard), who transferred from Wisconsin, and JB Nelson, who can play multiple positions.
Redshirt freshman tackles Anthony Donkah and J’von Williams were used last year.
As always, depth will be crucial, said Kotelnicki. “As the season progresses, pieces have to be moved for some reason, but it’s not like we’re starting from scratch.”
Last week, James Franklin also raved about new freshman Cooper Cousins, who is also a candidate for the center position, but with his height of 6’6″ could also be an option for the tackle position.
“I don’t like to talk in a way that creates crazy expectations, but I was really more than impressed with him from the beginning.” Franklin said about cousins. “He was the most unassuming and highly valued recruit I ever dealt with.”
Facing a difficult opener in hostile surroundings at West Virginia (August 31, kickoff 12:00 p.m., Fox), the Lions will still rely on Dawkins to provide stability on the offensive line.
“I think the most important thing for us is to understand who you are and what your role is,” said Dawkins. “I think that’s hugely important on the offensive line. Some things you’re good at, some things you’re not, but you shouldn’t try to hide those things. Turn your weaknesses into strengths. Communicate, make calls, know what everyone is doing. That’s all very important.”
Most of the time, he said, it is the power of mind over matter.
“When you’re on an eight-game drive, you’re exhausted, just like everyone else,” he said. “You’re in the middle, you’re getting pulled around. On the goal line… three guys are on you. Your mouth goes dry, and you still have to make those decisions.”
