Penn State’s elite RB duo is competing at everything this spring

State College — Penn State’s dynamic freshman running back duo took the Big Ten by storm in 2022. By the end of September, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen cemented themselves as mainstays in the Nittany Lions running back room. By the time Singleton streaked 87 yards down the sideline in Penn State’s 35-21 Rose Bowl victory, the pair had emerged as one of the best tailback combinations in the conference and were ready to leap onto the national stage. Now in year two, Singleton and Allen feel they are ready to launch Penn State football to new heights.

The goals laid out by Singleton and others during Tuesday’s media availability were undoubtedly lofty. But according to Singleton, the motivational dynamic between the two standout running backs helps to raise the level of play for the entire room.

‘Compete in everything we do’: Nick Singleton talks firey relationship with Kaytron Allen

Last fall, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen had two of the best freshman seasons in Penn State football history. With 1,061 yards, Singleton joined Saquon Barkley and D.J. Dozier as the only other Nittany Lion running backs to rush for at least 1,000 yards in their freshman campaign. He also set a Penn State freshman record with 12 rushing touchdowns. Allen was not far behind, with 10 rushing touchdowns and 867 yards, the fourth-most by a freshman in program history. Together, the duo became the first true freshman teammates to run for at least 700 yards each in Big Ten history.

Given the prolific seasons from both, much has been made of the personal dynamic that exists between Singleton and Allen. In the transfer portal era, it’s not unexpected to see a prominent pair split up so that each can play a primary role in an offense. But during media availability on Tuesday, Singleton made it clear that the duo — and the entire running back room — uses their success to motivate each other.

“Yeah, me and Kaytron, we’re really good,” Singleton said. “We compete in everything we do, you know…we help each other out. Not just us two. We compete with the whole room, really Tank [Smith], Amiel [Davis], Tyler [Holzworth]. They’ve been really good. So, we have a great running back room. We’re all good.”

Singleton would further compliment Allen’s work ethic, including his incredible body transformation. Last year, Allen lost over 20 pounds before the start of the season and has now added over 15 pounds of mass in the latest roster update.

“Kaytron, like I said, he’s a good player. “Throughout last year — summer — you could tell his body changed,” Singleton stated. “Even this year, going through winter workouts and spring. His body looks good, man. He’s been working his butt off.”

‘All us on us “: Running backs can lead the way for Penn State in 2023

Since the lights went out in Pasadena, Penn State’s returning roster has expressed that 2023 was about achieving something more. Now, the spotlight is returning to Happy Valley with an intensity that hasn’t existed for several years. This is especially true for a proven running back room that will be lining up beside a first-year starter at quarterback. But according to Singleton, the attention is a challenge that can fuel the offense to become even better.

“…me, Kaytron, like the whole running back room — especially Coach [Ja’Juan] Seider — are preaching all eyes on us now,” Singleton stated. “So you know, we got to step it up.” Singleton went on to express how expected starter Drew Allar can help to open up the offense. “It helps a lot with Drew [Allar] because he’s a good player, too,” he said. “He can run, throw the ball, so they got to respect that. So it helps us out so they won’t load the box on us like they were usually doing [last year].”

If Penn State football is to achieve its lofty goals, it starts this spring. And while Big Ten titles or national championships can’t be won in September, they certainly can be lost there. That’s why, for now, Singleton and the rest of the Lions are taking an incremental approach to the 2023 season. “…right now, we are focused on West Virginia,” Singleton said. “Just getting ready for them and finishing the spring off right.”

Penn State football closes spring practice in two weeks during the annual Blue-White game on April 15.

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