Nicholas Singleton is entering the 2025 season as part of Penn State’s dynamic backfield, teaming with Kaytron Allen to form one of the most talented duos in college football and a potential pipeline for NFL talent in the 2026 Draft.
Background and college production
Singleton arrived at Penn State as a five-star recruit from Governor Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and ranked as the top running back in the Class of 2022. He wasted little time adjusting to the college level, rushing for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns on 156 attempts as a true freshman. In 2023, his production dipped despite more volume, totaling 752 yards and eight touchdowns. His carry total rose again in 2024, but he posted 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 172 attempts, while expanding his receiving role with 41 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns. Those three seasons show a clear progression: elite speed and burst, improving receiving ability, and growing value as a contributor in the passing game.
Strengths
– Elite top-end speed and explosiveness, with the ability to turn a little space into a big play.
– Advanced vision and patience, enabling him to read blocks and let plays develop.
– Versatility to line up out wide, creating matchup opportunities and keeping defenses honest.
– Strong hands and route-running as a receiver, making him a threat on third downs and in the screen game.
– Returnability and special-teams value, adding to his overall NFL profile.
Weaknesses
– Some issues with physicality at the point of contact; constraining him from consistently driving through tackles.
– While he has improved as a runner, there are times when burst and tackle-breaking vision aren’t as consistent as scouts would like for a primary ball-carrier at the next level.
– Frame—about 6-foot, 224 pounds—means he may never be a prototypical power runner, so he’ll need to rely on wiggle, technique, and misdirection to maximize carries.
Draft outlook and fit
Singleton is viewed as one of the standout back prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. His combination of speed, receiving ability, and scheme versatility makes him a strong fit for offenses that deploy zone concepts and win with scheme and vision. If he can refine his contact balance and consistently break tackles, he could solidify himself as a first-round caliber talent, potentially landing in the late first to early second round. His ability to contribute as a receiver out of the backfield and as a returner adds to his value for NFL teams looking for multi-role backs.
Team and scheme considerations
– Zone schemes that emphasize outside runs and quick reads could maximize Singleton’s speed and vision.
– An NFL team that values a versatile back who can contribute on early downs, in the passing game, and on special teams would be a natural fit.
– Development emphasis on contact balance, pad level, and consistent tackling soaks could raise his ceiling to the upper tier of the 2026 class.
Overview
Singleton is among the most important players for Penn State heading into the 2025 season, with the chance to drive the offense and elevate his draft stock for 2026. His speed and versatility provide a clear path to an NFL role, particularly if he continues to improve as a physical, contact-efficient runner.
Summary and outlook
As Penn State continues to lean on a potent backfield with Singleton and Allen, the immediate focus will be on how Singleton translates elite athleticism into consistent production and improved physicality on contact. If he fulfills that potential, he stands to be one of the top running backs in the 2026 Draft and a valuable NFL contributor for years to come. Positive momentum remains for his development, and the next college season should further clarify his ceiling at the next level.