A Look at 2024 Wuerffel Trophy Recipient Nick Dawkins

Each year, college football players are awarded honors related to various forms of athleticism. Athletes are praised for their agility, strength, speed, and other skills on the football field. 

Others, like Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins, are commended for their actions off the field. 

Here is a quick look at who Nick Dawkins is and why he is the 2024 Wuerffel Trophy recipient.

What is the Wuerffel Trophy?

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service. The award honors retired NFL quarterback Danny Wuerffel and his inspiring community service efforts.

As a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, the winner of Penn State’s 2023 Public Service Award, and the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain, Dawkins boasts an impressive community service resume.

“Nick’s selfless leadership and meaningful impact on others have rightfully earned him the 20th anniversary of this award,” said Danny Wuerffel. “Every one of us has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Nick exemplifies this powerful capability. Congratulations to him on this prestigious honor.”

The Dawkins Family Foundation

Dawkins founded the Dawkins Family Foundation in 2023 to empower and educate youth to excel in all aspects of life. Through various programs, mentorship, and scholarships, the foundation provides a range of resources and support so children can develop essential academic and professional skills. 

“It’s all about helping those both on and outside my team. Nothing has stopped me from chasing that dream,” Dawkins said, according to the Wuerffel Foundation. “This honor underscores the importance of giving back, and I am grateful to Danny Wuerffel and The Wuerffel Foundation, Allstate, and the AFCA for celebrating those who serve to make a difference.”

Aside from his foundation, Dawkins has also created summer sports camps at the YMCA of Centre County. He also leads Uplifting Athletics at Penn State to raise funds for rare disease research. 

Dawkins doesn’t stop there, though. This year, he won the program’s Letterman’s Club Scholarship, awarded annually to a graduate student. He is also president of Penn State’s Lift For Life chapter and participates in community service projects including PALS and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

How Dawkins leads beyond the game

His coach, James Franklin, isn’t surprised by Dawkins’ extensive community service efforts. He even says he can see the lineman in leadership positions completely unrelated to football.

“I tell everybody he’s going to end up being the governor of Pennsylvania,” Franklin told Wuerffel in a call posted on social media by Penn State’s communications department. 

“Everybody he connects with and interacts with, he leaves them impressed. He’s got a caring spirit about him, he’s an unbelievable son and brother, he’s been a great teammate here for us, he’s worked for everything he’s gotten. He’s like a son [to me]. I have two daughters, and if I had a son, I’d want him to be just like this guy.”

There’s no doubt that Dawkins has been a valuable addition to the team. His talent and attitude are both model behaviors for his teammates not only on the field but off, as well.

“You need to give back,” Dawkins said during a trip to the Penn State Healthy Children’s Hospital. “People lose sight that this whole football thing is bigger than you. Put a smile on someone’s face? That’s huge. … That goes to the humility and being humble and all the things that we are in our program and our tradition,” Penn State on SI reports.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by the activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.