Lincoln senior Dawson Fullingim has done just about everything.

He's been one of the state's best on and off the field, excelling in vocal, drama, as well as helping lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back undefeated seasons and state championships.

And last week, he added another honor to his name.

Fullingim capped off his Lincoln football career by being named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State team after a stellar senior season.

The senior was a leader on both sides of the ball for Lincoln, who won 28 straight games during Fullingim's last two years.

He was named to the team as a running back after finishing the year with 767 rushing yards on just 95 carries, totaling 14 touchdowns. He also had 12 catches for 252 yards and three TDs.

"Being named all-state team is a huge honor," Fullingim said. "It reflects the hard work that I've put in but also the hard work my teammates and coaches have put in to represent our school well."

Fullingim was named the team MVP and was also a 1st-team all district running back.

"The special part about this year was doing it alongside an incredible group of seniors," he said. "I love those guys and we all played for each other. I also loved to see the growth of some young guys and relying on them in big games."

Also a 2-year starter on defense, Fullingim totaled 50 tackles, 13 for loss, and six sacks in his final season. He was also a team captain.

"He was a guy that could do multiple things for us on offense," head coach Jerry Ricke said. "He dominated on both sides of the ball for us and was a big leader for our team."

Fullingim had to grow into his role as a vocal leader, but his work ethic set the tone for this group trying to go back-to-back, knowing what it took to get it done.

"The biggest change for me is that I had to be a vocal leader," Fullingim. "I have always led through the work I put in or how I do things, but this year I was challenged to add a voice to that. I also had a strong template of what championship leadership looked like by watching the senior class before us."

Fullingim played a huge role to get the Bulldogs back to the semifinals, rushing for 230 yards and three scores in a 42-14 semifinal win over Heritage Hall.

"The key to my success in running the ball was all dependent on my teammates," Fullingim said. "From the blocks of the offensive line to the distraction of other things happening on our offense, it all opened up more room for me to work with. I've also been developing skills off the field with my previous training in CrossFIt as well as ballet."

The senior wasn't always a key ball carrier for the Bulldogs during his four years, as he split time for the Lincoln offense as a lineman and the lead blocking back as a junior, which helped him be ready to adopt a new role in 2024.

"My first year of tackle football was my freshman year so I already did not have a set position I'd been playing my entire life," he said. "Also, with my experience on the stage, I'm used to having to play different roles or jump into a role I'm not as familiar with."

"At the beginning we all joked that I may not know how to be a running back but I could act like I was one. Learning all the roles also makes me appreciate every role on the team and I like a good challenge."

For Fullingim, who has achieved numerous honors on the stage and on the field, the all-state selection is about as good as any.

"Being named all state team is an accomplishment that ranks pretty high," Fullingim said. "I would say it only falls behind the back-to-back state championships and my Jimmy Awards experience in New York."

And although Fullingim's future could go in a number of ways because of his immense talents in multiple areas, the impact that the Lincoln program made is one that will stay with him for a long time.

"The impact this program has had on me is far more than just state championships and winning," he said. "It has taught me to be a better man of God as well as be able to withstand the trials of life when all the pressure is on."

Although he played his last game for the Bulldogs in a last-second 28-27 win in December's 3A state title clash, Fullingim will have the opportunity to step on the field again this summer in the all-state game.

However, the thing he will miss most about being a Bulldog are the relationships built within the program, both with his teammates and his cousin, coach Zach Fullingim.

"What I will miss the most is playing with my brothers," he said. "Being on the field with them was insanely fun and I will never forget it. I will also miss being coached by my cousin. He has continually poured into me as well as push me to become better than I thought was possible."

But it's undeniable that Fullingim more than made his mark at Lincoln, as the legacy he leaves as a Bulldog is what exemplifies the program.

"The legacy I want to leave on this program is hard work and consistency," he said. "I was no the most athletic or the most experienced in football but I wanted to commit to become better at it."