Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1537537
A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 41 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / R U N N I N G B A C K S / / / / / / / they stay healthy, both can improve their NFL stock looking ahead to the 2026 draft. It also helps that Penn State has done everything it can over the past three seasons to distribute the carries equitably. Coming into the 2025 season, Allen has totaled 559 carries, while Singleton is not far behind him with 499. Factor in re- ceptions and kickoff returns, and those numbers get even tighter, with Allen at 614 all-purpose touches and Singleton at 618. Their career rushing totals are nearly identical, with Allen having amassed 2,877 yards over 42 games and Singleton at 2,912 in 41 games. Schools and agents have tried in the past to use that shared workload against Penn State, hoping that one of the two players would want the spotlight to him- self somewhere else. But both players know it's not detrimental to their NFL futures to split the touches. After all, if you're a running back in the NFL these days, it's all about earning that second contract. Just ask Saquon Barkley. That's also why many people expected at least one of the two to attempt to go pro this year, but as it turned out, both were focused on making further improvements before moving on to the NFL. First-year running backs coach Stan Drayton has been tasked with helping them do that, and he understands that there's still plenty of room for growth. "I know they've had a lot of produc- tion around here, but they still have a lot of weaknesses and things that we need to work on," Drayton said. "I can honestly say they've been very intentional about their approach to practice and getting those things better. I have nothing but great things to say about both of those guys and how they're approaching things." Singleton and Allen are just part of the overall puzzle that will ul- timately determine just how far Penn State can go this year. How they embrace their new running backs coach and his wealth of experience is another key stor- yline. After all, it's not as if Dray- ton is a new coach with plenty to learn. From Brian Westbrook to Ezekiel Elliott to Bijan Robinson, Drayton has worked with his fair share of talented running backs. Even more important, he's taken that tal- ent and maximized it. Now, he has the opportunity to do it again with two players who could reach Evan Royster's all-time school rushing re- cord of 3,932 yards if all goes well this year. "They are definitely two elite backs," Drayton said, "and I'm having a great time coaching them." ■ Quick Facts Position coach: Stan Drayton (first season) Returning starters: Kaytron Allen (15 ca- reer starts), Nicholas Singleton (27) Departing starters: None Top reserves: Tikey Hayes, Quinton Martin Jr., Corey Smith, Cam Wallace Newcomers: Jabree Coleman, Tikey Hayes 2024 vs. 2025: Stock Up Or Down? The Nittany Lions return two 1,000-yard rushers in seniors Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, they've boosted their depth by adding two of Pennsylvania's top 2025 prospects in Tikey Hayes and Jabree Coleman, and they replaced Notre Dame-bound as- sistant Ja'Juan Seider with one of the most accomplished running backs coaches in the country in Stan Drayton. Penn State's current backfield is the Amazon.com of college football stocks. No matter how high it goes, it can always go higher. X-Factor We can't help but wonder whether Singleton has another gear. In his first two seasons, he totaled 40 explosive runs (10 yards or more) over the course of 26 games. Last year, he made big strides, finishing with 32 explosive runs in 15 games. Both Bijan Robinson of Texas and Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State made big strides in that department in their final year with Drayton. Singleton won't have as many carries as those two workhorse running backs because Allen needs his touches, too. But it's not unrealistic to think that Drayton's coaching could help Singleton become even more elusive. Freshman Outlook Keep an eye on true frosh Hayes. After Penn State's senior duo, the Nittany Lions have three talented players in Quinton Martin Jr., Corey Smith and Cam Wallace. They've all used their redshirts, so the reins are off. Depth won't be an issue. That'll likely allow the staff to redshirt Hayes, but boy, the praise coming out of Lasch for the Aliquippa native has been strong. He's not a home run hitter, which is usually how freshmen get on the field early, but he's a complete back who's adjusted well so far. Coleman just enrolled this summer. He'll likely need time to adjust. Allen came on strong for Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 134 yards to help lift PSU past Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup. PHOTO BY MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS