Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are already among the most impactful running backs in recent Penn State history. But what comes next will define their legacies
The 2025 season is a pivotal moment—not just for their careers, but for Penn State football.
If both players deliver on their immense promise, the Nittany Lions could make a serious run at a College Football Playoff berth—and send two more stars to the NFL in the process.
The 2025 season will be a defining one for Penn State football. Coming off a near-championship run, expectations are sky-high. But change is inevitable.
With less depth, no elite tight end, and a shifting offensive identity, the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
If they rise to the occasion, Penn State could find itself in the national title conversation again.
But if they falter, the Nittany Lions might look back at 2024 as their missed opportunity. Either way, the upcoming season promises to be a thrilling ride in Happy Valley.
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Table of Contents
Nicholas Singleton: The Nittany Lions’ 2024
A Season to Remember
The 2024 college football season was one of the most memorable in recent Penn State history.1
Under head coach James Franklin, the Nittany Lions powered through the regular season with dominant performances, showcasing a physical, run-first identity that overwhelmed most of their opponents.
Their success earned them a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals, the program’s first appearance since the expanded format was introduced.
Despite the team’s dominant run to the semifinals, their campaign ended in disappointment. Penn State faced off against Notre Dame in the CFP semis, a game that turned out to be a one-sided affair.
The Fighting Irish controlled the game from the start and never let Penn State find its rhythm. Notre Dame’s strong defense effectively neutralized Penn State’s potent rushing attack and exposed the team’s limited passing game.
This loss, though heartbreaking, was a valuable lesson for the Nittany Lions as they regroup for 2025.
Let’s go @rhoback !! https://t.co/ZzgyZhM7wR
— Nicholas Singleton (@NickSingletonn) August 17, 2023
The Power Behind the Run Game: Singleton and Allen
Much of Penn State’s offensive identity in 2024 revolved around their exceptional backfield duo: Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Both backs surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark, becoming the driving force behind Penn State’s success. Their complementary running styles made life difficult for opposing defenses.
Singleton, a former five-star recruit, brought explosive speed and big-play ability, often breaking through for long gains.
Allen, on the other hand, brought power and patience, excelling in short-yardage and between-the-tackles situations.
Together, they provided the perfect balance and carried the load for a Penn State offense that often struggled in the passing game.
Nicholas Singleton: The Departure of a Versatile Weapon
One of the unsung heroes of Penn State’s 2024 campaign was their versatile tight end.2
While not named specifically, it’s widely understood that Penn State benefited from a do-it-all, utility-type tight end—one who could block, catch, and create mismatches against opposing linebackers and safeties.
The loss of this player heading into 2025 is a significant concern, as it adds more pressure on the running backs to carry the offense without the safety valve the tight end provided.
While Singleton may be the more well-known name, there is a growing belief that Kaytron Allen could emerge as the primary back in 2025. His vision, balance, and physicality make him an every-down back.
With the loss of offensive weapons and depth around him, Allen’s reliability could make him the focal point of the offense.
Moreover, Allen’s ability to grind out tough yards in the Big Ten is a trait coaches value in championship-level football. As Penn State looks to avoid becoming one-dimensional, Allen’s maturity and durability could earn him the RB1 nod.
Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic Weigh In
In anticipation of the 2025 season, ESPN analysts Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic discussed the projected depth chart for Penn State’s backfield. Cubelic expressed concern over the lack of depth compared to 2024.
“If you mention Nick Singleton, I don’t think Penn State is going to have three backs this year like they did last year,” Cubelic said. “He’s probably going to have to carry a lot more of the load.”
Cubelic also noted that without a dynamic tight end to support the offense, Singleton and Allen would need to step up even further.
McElroy added another dimension to the discussion by challenging the perception surrounding Allen:
“Honestly, I think Kaytron Allen might be a better back,” McElroy stated. “But nobody thinks that because Kaytron Allen wasn’t the top five player in the country in recruiting.”
His comment underlines a truth in college football: recruiting rankings don’t always translate to on-field success.
Allen, often overshadowed by Singleton’s star power, has quietly become one of the most consistent and dependable backs in the country.
Nicholas Singleton’s Redemption Season
While some analysts are leaning toward Allen, Nicholas Singleton should not be discounted.3
He still possesses elite speed and game-breaking potential that can flip a game on its head in a single play. Singleton may have been slightly inconsistent in 2024, but when he’s hot, he’s nearly unstoppable.
For Singleton, 2025 represents a redemption season. With fewer backfield partners and a greater emphasis on the run game, he has the opportunity to silence critics and re-establish himself as one of the nation’s top backs.
Running Back Room in Flux
One of the biggest shifts for Penn State in 2025 will be the reduced depth in the running back room.
While the Lions benefitted from having three or even four capable backs in 2024, this year’s squad may only have two who can be counted on at the Power Five level.
With no clear third option to relieve Singleton and Allen, managing their workloads will be crucial.
Injuries, wear and tear, and the grind of the Big Ten schedule will test their stamina. Incoming freshmen and redshirt sophomores may be asked to contribute earlier than expected, but it’s unlikely anyone will replicate the production of last year’s trio.
Life Without the All-World Tight End
As Cubelic mentioned, Penn State won’t have the luxury of an “all-world unicorn tight end” this season.
That means fewer mismatches, fewer blocking advantages, and fewer bail-out options for quarterback Drew Allar, who is still developing into a top-tier signal-caller.
The tight end’s absence will impact the play-calling as well. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will need to be more creative in how he utilizes Singleton and Allen, perhaps involving them more in the passing game via screen plays and checkdowns to compensate for the tight end’s lost production.
Can the Offensive Line Keep Up?
- Another key component that could define Penn State’s 2025 season is the performance of the offensive line. In 2024, the line played with cohesion and physicality, allowing the run game to flourish.
- However, with possible departures to the NFL and graduations, the new-look line must quickly jell to give Singleton and Allen the lanes they need.
- If the line regresses, it could hinder even the best efforts of the talented backfield. Development and depth on the offensive line will be an essential storyline as the season progresses.
- Penn State’s goal in 2025 remains the same: return to the College Football Playoff and win a national championship.
- The Big Ten will be even more competitive with the arrival of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington.
- That makes the margin for error razor-thin.
- To make another CFP run, the Nittany Lions must evolve. Relying solely on Singleton and Allen won’t be enough; they’ll need better quarterback play, improved receiver contributions, and defensive consistency.
- However, if the running game stays dominant, Penn State will always have a puncher’s chance in any contest.
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What’s Next for Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen at Penn State?
The Penn State Nittany Lions boast one of the most talented running back tandems in college football with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Both players have played key roles in James Franklin’s offense and are now entering what could be their final collegiate seasons before declaring for the NFL Draft.
The 2025 campaign will be crucial for both backs as they look to boost their draft stock, continue Penn State’s pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth, and cement their legacies in Happy Valley.
The Foundation: A Dynamic Duo Born from Different Backgrounds
Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen took vastly different paths to end up in the same backfield.
Singleton was a five-star recruit out of Governor Mifflin High School in Pennsylvania, known for his explosive speed and home-run play potential.
He was considered one of the top high school running backs in the nation and arrived in State College with sky-high expectations.
Allen, on the other hand, honed his craft at IMG Academy in Florida, playing against top-tier competition and developing a powerful, physical running style. While Singleton’s speed wowed scouts, Allen’s patience, vision, and ability to churn out tough yards made him a perfect complement.
Together, they’ve created a one-two punch that has kept opposing defenses on their heels.
Nicholas Singleton‘s Growth: Beyond the Flashy Runs
Nicholas Singleton entered Penn State with a reputation for being a breakaway threat every time he touched the ball.
His freshman season validated that hype, with multiple long touchdown runs and over 1,000 rushing yards.
But as defenses adjusted, Singleton had to evolve. In 2024, he showed progress as a more complete back—improving his ball security, pass protection, and decisiveness between the tackles.
Still, there’s room to grow. NFL scouts want to see him become more versatile, especially as a pass catcher. In his college career so far, Singleton’s receiving usage has been limited. As the NFL increasingly values dual-threat backs, this is a critical area of development.
Heading into 2025, look for Singleton to be more involved in the passing game, especially on screens, wheel routes, and checkdowns. If he can improve his route-running and hands, his stock could skyrocket.
The Reliable Workhorse
While Singleton often gets the headlines, Kaytron Allen has quietly emerged as Penn State’s most consistent and reliable back. In the 2024 season, he led the team in rushing yards and finished second in rushing touchdowns.
Allen may not have the top-end speed of Singleton, but his physicality, vision, and ability to stay on his feet after contact make him invaluable.
Allen has also shown a knack for converting in short-yardage and goal-line situations—something that NFL teams love in a reliable RB2 or even a potential starter.
With Allen likely eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft, his focus will be on increasing his touchdown production, particularly in red-zone opportunities. Scouts already respect his toughness and football IQ; now he needs to add some statistical polish to his résumé.
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Can They Coexist and Thrive?
One of the biggest challenges for any college team with multiple star backs is distribution of touches. For Penn State, the coaching staff has done a respectable job of keeping both Singleton and Allen involved.
But 2025 could present a unique situation: both players are eligible for the draft and eager to prove they can be “the guy.”
Will Penn State continue to split carries evenly, or will one back emerge as the clear-cut lead?
There’s reason to believe that both can coexist and thrive, especially if Penn State’s offensive line continues to improve. A dual-back system keeps each player fresh, reduces injury risk, and creates matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Still, it will be a tightrope act. Both players need to produce, and both need enough exposure to boost their individual draft profiles.
NFL Draft Implications: High Stakes Ahead
Both Singleton and Allen are expected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, which makes this upcoming season extremely important. Each has unique traits that NFL scouts value.
For Singleton, it’s the explosiveness and upside. His top-end speed and ability to score from anywhere on the field resemble that of a young Saquon Barkley—another Penn State product. But questions remain about his receiving ability and consistency against top-tier competition.
For Allen, it’s about reliability and strength. He projects as a day-two or day-three pick who could climb draft boards with a productive final season. His pro comparison might be closer to a player like Damien Harris or David Montgomery—tough runners who found early success in the NFL.
The upcoming season could define whether they’re taken in the early rounds or fall into late-round depth picks.
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