The good news continues for the Nittany Lions. Following the announcement of several key returns for 2025, a trio of Penn State Linemen have also announced their intention to return for another season. Starting center Nick Dawkins and guard JB Nelson will both be back in the fall. On the other side of the line, Smith Vilbert has followed along with Dani Dennis-Sutton to return at defensive end for 2025.
Dawkins will return for his sixth season with the program, playing a key role as the team’s center, building on his experience with Drew Allar, also set to return in 2025. Dawkins was the recipient of the Wuerffel Award this past season, given to the player who excels most both on the field and in the community. Nelson will also return for his sixth year, and fourth year with the program. Nelson has been a stalwart at guard, starting the majority of the past two seasons to help the Nittany Lion offensive line show vast improvement. Nelson spent two years as Lackawanna Community College, following in the footsteps of former Penn State standouts Jaquan Brisker and Ji’Ayir Brown.
Vilbert is set to return after a promising seasons after missing the ‘22 and ‘23 seasons. As a key member of the defensive end rotation, Vilbert finished with 12 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2024.
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