2 Penn State football players earn FWAA Freshman All-American honors

A huge part of the on-field success that Penn State football enjoyed this season was its freshman. On offense, freshman such as Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen propelled the Nittany Lions’ rushing attack. On defense, freshman such as Abdul Carter roamed the field searching for any ball-carriers unfortunate to meet him head-on.

Earlier today, the official Penn State football social media accounts posted a remarkable feat by two of its freshman: FWAA Freshman All-American honors were awarded to Nick Singleton (running back) and Abdul Carter (linebacker).

They’re pretty good at football. ?‍♂️?@1NCRDB1 @NickSingletonn #WeAre pic.twitter.com/wVMW6Ah6BF

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 18, 2023

Penn State football: Nick Singleton in 2022

Most figured that it would take Nick Singleton — one of the most-talented players in his class — a year or two to grow into an elite running back. Those fans were wrong; Singleton is already a 1,000-yard rusher in year one despite splitting carries with fellow freshman, Kaytron Allen.

During Singleton’s 13-game freshman campaign, Penn State’s star freshman back carried the ball a mere 156 times (75th nationally) and amassed 1,061 yards (33rd), 12 rushing touchdowns (28th), and averaged 6.8 yards-per-carry (12th). Singleton was also in impactful receiving back — he caught 11 passes for 85 yards and one touchdown last season.

In Penn State’s huge Rose Bowl win on January 2nd, Singleton carried the rock seven times for 120 yards (17.1 YPC) and two touchdowns. Some of Singleton’s other massive performances include Maryland (122 yards, two touchdowns), Auburn (124 yards, two touchdowns), and Ohio (179, two touchdowns).

Penn State football: Abdul Carter shines as well

One of Singleton’s classmates — Abdul Carter — also had himself an extraordinary year at Penn State in 2022. Like Singleton, no one saw Carter being the focal point of Penn State’s defense as a freshman; yet here we are.

In 2022, Carter racked up 56 tackles (36 solo, 20 assisted), 6.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles as he led the Nittany Lions’ scary-good defense to an elite-caliber season.

Carter’s biggest performance of the year came against the Michigan State Spartans in week 13 of the season — Carter compiled five solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and two sacks in Penn State’s 35-16 victory over MSU to reclaim the Land-Grant Trophy.

Both Singleton and Carter were massive additions to the 2022 Penn State football team, and going forward, the Big Ten should be on notice for both of these two Nittany Lions.