A six-year Penn State captain and son of NBA legend Darryl Dawkins, now fighting for a Ravens roster spot at center.
Nick Dawkins signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent after a six-season career at Penn State that ended with him as the Nittany Lions' starting center and a team captain. He is reunited in Baltimore with former Penn State line mate Vega Ioane, the Ravens' first-round pick, after the two started together up front in college.
Path to the league
Dawkins spent six seasons at Penn State, sitting behind veteran linemen for four years before finally winning the starting center job in 2024. He used a sixth year of eligibility in 2025 to remain the Nittany Lions' starter, then went unselected in the 2026 NFL draft before signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
Dawkins earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2024 and was named a Penn State team captain. He became the program's first recipient of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, college football's community service award, and was also named to the AFCA Good Works Team. In his final season, he anchored the Penn State line for 12 starts and more than 850 snaps.
2025 season recap
Dawkins used his extra year of eligibility to start again at center for Penn State in 2025, closing out his college career before signing with Baltimore as a rookie free agent in April 2026. He now competes for a depth role on the Ravens' offensive line, working alongside former Penn State teammate Vega Ioane.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nick Dawkins
- Baltimore Ravens: Nick Dawkins Confident He Can Earn a Roster Spot at Center
- ESPN: Nick Dawkins
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Center
- Group
- offense
- College
- Penn State
- Hometown
- Allentown, PA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
