Freshmen running backs Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen creating buzz at Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions are excited about two freshman running backs who have been playing well during Fall camp. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have only been on campus for a brief period of time, but they’re both already turning heads.

Penn State head coach James Franklin spoke about the pair with members of the media.

“They’ve been really good, really both of them,” James Franklin said. “Obviously, there’s been lots of conversations about Nick Singleton. But, him and Kaytron, there’s a buzz within our program about those two guys and what they’re doing.”

“I know Sean (Clifford) is really excited about it. I know the young quarterbacks are really excited because they’re gonna have more time with them.”

The Penn State coach did warn against expecting too much too soon once the season starts from the freshmen running backs. After all, they still need to prove themselves on that stage. At the same time, all signs point to them being ready to go.

“But, they are big enough, they are strong enough, they both seem to have pretty high football IQs. You know, they don’t seem to be overwhelmed. I think the fact they both were able to be here in the Spring and Summer that helped too. But, they’re doing really well. They’re doing really well. And, they both have really earned a lot of respect already in a short period of time.”

It’s no surprise to anyone that Nick Singleton is already thriving for Penn State. A five-star running back in the Class of 2022, Singleton was the top running back in the class. A Pennsylvania native, Saquon Barkley presented Singleton with his Gatorade National Player of the Year award. The comparisons between the two players are hard not to see.

On the other hand, Kaytron Allen has been overshadowed by Singleton in Penn State’s freshman class. A four-star running back in his own right, Allen is expected to do great things for the Nittany Lions.