Penn State football offensive lineman and team captain Nick Dawkins was named a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year semifinalist, the award announced on Wednesday.

The award recognizes college football’s most well-rounded leader who exhibits extraordinary courage, integrity, and sportsmanship on and off the field.

“The award honors the type of exemplary character and commitment to community, family, and teammates demonstrated by Jason Witten, the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and one of the most prominent role models in the game,” the award’s website said.

Dawkins is in his sixth season with the Nittany Lions. In 2024, he was awarded the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, given to the most impactful leaders in community service.

Other Big Ten players that made the semifinalist list are Aiden Fisher from Indiana, Ernest Hausmann from Michigan, and Devin Mockobee from Purdue. The last Big Ten player to win the award was D’Cota Dixon of Wisconsin in 2018.