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For the third straight year, Penn State's offensive backfield will feature the duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Led by this potent pair, the Nittany Lions tout one of the best running back groups in the country. Indeed, according to Pro Football Focus, Penn State's arsenal of running backs for the 2024 season is fourth-best in the country.
Singleton and Allen are both true juniors. While they will be the co-headliners in the upcoming season, they are backed up by a talented trio of young RBs.
The Leading Duo
Singleton was rated the nation's No. 1 running back in the 2022 recruiting class. In his freshman year at PSU, he rushed for 1,061 yards and dazzled as an explosive return specialist. He scored 14 touchdowns — 12 rushing, 1 receiving, and 1 on a 100-yard kickoff return. He was named Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference and second-team All-Big Ten. His numbers in the rushing game declined slightly last year, with 752 yards and 8 touchdowns. However, he was featured more in the passing game, hauling in 26 receptions for 308 yards and 2 touchdowns. Singleton was named third-team All-Big Ten after his sophomore campaign.
Allen was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class. He hails from Norfolk, Va. Sharing rushing duties with Singleton over the past two seasons, Allen has provided a consistent, steady performance for the Nittany Lions. In his PSU career, he has rushed for 1,769 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He has also rushed for 16 touchdowns and caught 2 TD passes. In his sophomore year, Allen was named second-team All-Big Ten.
Youthful Depth at Penn State
While Singleton and Allen are both juniors this year, they are backed up by one redshirt freshman, Cam Wallace, and two true freshmen, Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith.
With the advantage of experience, Wallace is the frontrunner for the No. 3 spot in the Penn State RB room. He is a talented athlete from Georgia who competed in high school track at an elite level, placing second in the state in the 100-meter dash. He played multiple positions in high school on both sides of the ball. As a redshirt last year, Wallace did not see action in any games.
Martin was a four-star recruit, rated as the No. 8 running back in the 2024 class. He impressed the Penn State coaching staff in the Blue-White game in April, scampering for 2 touchdowns.
Smith is a four-star recruit from Milwaukee. Rivals rated him the No. 18 running back in the 2024 class after he earned all-state honors twice in Wisconsin.
With this young and talented trio backing up the dynamic duo of Singleton and Allen, the Nittany Lions look to have a strong run game this season.
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