Penn State running back Kaytron Allen is excited to play in Andy Kotelnicki's offense; here's why
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen could not and did not want to hide a big smile when speaking with reporters on Tuesday night after the Nittany Lions’ seventh spring practice. The third-year rusher is happy and healthy as he sets his sights on another year in blue and white. Allen is again set to share the starting role with classmate Nicholas Singleton. With a good 2024 season, both could be off to the 2025 NFL Draft. That decision will be made quite some time from now, however. At the moment, Allen is focused on the chance to play in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense for the first time. And it’s part of the reason he continuously flashes an enormous grin that matches his significant talent.
“You get to do a lot of different things [in Kotelnicki’s offense],” Allen said. “It isn’t just you standing in the backfield. You could be in the slot. You could be the outside receiver. You’re just doing different types of things to show our talents. It’s a great offense.
Kotelnicki brings a high-powered attack with him from Kansas to mesh with what the Lions have already been doing under James Franklin. Among other things, it will likely involve quarterbacks being asked to run more and running backs being asked to catch more passes, based on what is on film. That last part excites Allen. He caught 20 passes in 2022 and 14 in 2023. His final tally this year figures to be in the ballpark of the former, if not higher. Last year with the Jayhawks, starting back Devin Neal had 25 receptions.
Allen said he has focused on being more active out of the backfield since arriving at Penn State.
More: Penn State setting ‘foundation’ through spring: James Franklin notebook
“The way I was looking at things before I came in, like as a freshman, I just wanted to run the ball,” Allen said. “I just liked getting the ball and running the ball. But then, I started to figure like, you have to do more than just run the ball. You got to play without the ball. You have to catch the ball and help other players on your team. Block for them, just doing different things, and not just running the ball.”
Allen and Singleton aim to grow their game in 2024 and lift the Penn State offense to new heights. That is what Kotelnicki was brought in to do. The fruits of that labor will not be known until late August when the Lions open their season at West Virginia. But, it’s safe to say that Allen and his teammates are happy with where things stand at this point.
“I’m just trying to get better at everything,” Allen said. “You can’t just be one dimensional. I have to do everything for the team. Just do different things that I’m uncomfortable with doing. Just trying to get better.”
