SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. − Each game played may be the last in a Penn State football uniform for running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
And it should be, according to a prominent network analyst, Super Bowl winner and former Nittany Lion star.
That means the college careers for these junior co-starters may end in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Boise State on New Year’s Eve in State Farm Stadium.
Or possibly in the CFP semifinals next week in the Orange Bowl.
Or even the national championship game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
Because Singleton and Allen are ready for the NFL now. That’s the take of Matt Millen, the Big Ten Network analyst and former Penn State and NFL star lineman. He spoke with reporters Sunday after the Nittany Lions’ Fiesta Bowl media day interview session.
Both running backs appear to be healthy and peaking at the right time for Penn State. Singleton missed one midseason game with an undisclosed injury and struggled with his running burst and speed in a few others after. Allen’s production, keyed by his more physical, plow-driving style, also was up and down much of the fall.
Both have found their groove the past two games − in the Big Ten Championship against Oregon (229 combined rushing yards) and in the opening round of the CFP vs. SMU (160).
Overall, Singleton has gained 928 yards in 2024, averaging 6.4 per carry. He’s lost only 8 yards all season. Allen has rushed for 892, averaging 4.8 per carry.
Each has scored eight touchdowns on the ground.
Millen said they are ready for the NFL Draft now. That there may not much for either to gain by returning to Penn State for a senior season in 2025.
“Both do all the little things well,” he said. “I like to watch them in (pass) protection. They’re both excellent. They stick their face in there. … They catch the ball well, they understand protections, and that is the whole next level.”
Because “when (NFL) rookies come in, especially running backs, (coaches are) usually not too thrilled about what they see and don’t see in the passing game. And so I think both these guys, I think they see protections pretty darn well. So that’s a big deal. And I think and they both catch the ball well. They run the ball well, they have good vision.
“They have all the requisite skills to be able to be at the next level, which they’re going to be. They’re both excellent players, but they’re ready now. Oh yeah.”
Neither player has announced his intentions yet for next season.
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If they leave, Penn State would have its youngest running back room since Singleton and Allen took over as true freshman in 2022.
Their would-be replacements have little on-field experience. Promising redshirt freshman Cam Wallace missed most of the season with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Rookies Quinton Martin combined for 184 rushing yards on 35 carries (5.3 average) in backup minutes near the end of games.
The Lions are bringing in two more freshmen, as well, with their 2025 recruiting class. They also could sign a transfer running back this winter or spring.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
