UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Penn State head coach James Franklin will be joined by quarterback Drew Allar, senior offensive lineman Nick Dawkins, and safety Zakee Wheatley to represent the Nittany Lions at Big Ten Football Media Days in Las Vegas.
Quarterback Drew Allar has already etched his name in the Penn State record books. He ranks first all-time at Penn State with a 62.9% completion and 1.19% interception rate, third in touchdown passes with 53 and passing efficiency (144.0), fifth in completions with 530, tied for fifth in 200-yard passing games, sixth in passing yardage with 6,302, and passing attempts with 843. He is also a dual-threat quarterback, ranking tied for sixth in school history with 11 rushing touchdowns and 10th with 543 rushing yards. Allar stands fourth all-time at PSU with 64 touchdowns responsible for and fifth with 6,862 total offensive yards. Notably, since 1956, Allar joins Bryce Petty (Baylor, 2011-14) as the only FBS quarterbacks with 800+ career pass attempts, 50+ touchdown passes, and 10 or fewer interceptions. He has 17 career games with multiple touchdown passes, 10 games with three or more, and two games with four or more, along with three career 300-yard passing games and 16 200-yard passing games.
Nick Dawkins, a team captain, exemplifies leadership both on and off the field. He won the prestigious Allstate Wuerffel Trophy in 2024, recognizing his outstanding community service. Dawkins 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. He interned with the YMCA of Centre County, developing youth sports programs, and volunteered at Parkland sports camps. On the field, Dawkins started all 16 games at center in 2024, allowing just two sacks on the season, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors.
Zakee Wheatley is a ball-hawking safety with a knack for creating turnovers. He has nine career takeaways (5 interceptions, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles). During the 2024 season, Wheatley started all 16 games, finishing with 96 tackles (58 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and four pass breakups, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention by the media. He finished tied for sixth in the Big Ten with three interceptions.
