Trio of Penn State football stars set to return for 2025

Penn State football had its 2024 season end in the College Football Playoff Semifinal last Thursday. Less than a week later, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are already gearing up to make that elusive final push to the National Championship game in 2025.

On Monday afternoon, Penn State’s 2025 title hopes got a massive boost, with stars Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Dani Dennis-Sutton all announcing their return to the Nittany Lions next fall. All three standout juniors have one season of eligibility remaining.

Despite battling injuries for several weeks during the middle portion of this season, running back Nicholas Singleton rushed for over 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. He finished the year with 1,099 yards on 172 carries with 12 touchdowns while adding 375 yards and five scores through the air.

The Lawnboyz are back for 2025! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/bwL0MBzzZe

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) January 13, 2025

Singleton is joined in the backfield by Kaytron Allen, who had star back production in his own right in 2024. Allen led the Nittany Lions with 1,145 rushing yards while punching it into the end zone eight times. He also added 153 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Together, Allen and Singleton became the first teammates in Penn State football history to each rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.

On the defensive side of the ball, Dani Dennis-Sutton wreaked havoc on opposing offenses all fall. Dennis-Sutton was second on the roster in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (8.5), trailing only fellow edge rusher and projected first-round pick Abdul Carter in both categories. All told, Dennis-Sutton finished his junior campaign with 42 tackles, nearly half of which came during the Nittany Lions’ playoff run.

BREAKING: Penn State football lands another massive W for its 2025 roster – Dani Dennis-Sutton will return for his senior year #WeAre #PennState pic.twitter.com/U1Y6fYMErO

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) January 13, 2025

Penn State football NFL Draft tracker

It’s been a busy few days for Penn State football since its 2024 season came to an end at Thursday’s Orange Bowl. Singleton, Allen, and Dennis-Sutton bring the Nittany Lions’ total of returning starters to six. The trio joins fellow standouts from the 2022 recruiting class, Drew Allar and Zane Durant, along with redshirt junior Zakee Wheatley.

Outgoing:

KJ Winston, S – declared for NFL Draft on December 12.

Abdul Carter, DE – declared for NFL Draft on January 10.

Jalen Kimber, CB – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Jaylen Reed, S – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Dvon J-Thomas, DT – declared for NFL Draft on January 12.

Returning:

Drew Allar, QB – announced return on December 16.

Zakee Wheatley, S – announced return on December 23.

Zane Durant, DT – announced return on January 11.

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