James Franklin evaluates potential of Penn State RB tandem of Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton

Penn State’s offense was able to post a Top-50 rushing attack a season ago. That fact is even more impressive, though, once you note that the team’s pair of leading rushers, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, were both tearing up defenses as true freshmen.

Now, as they head into their sophomore seasons, James Franklin is expecting even more from his dynamic running back duo. That’s what he told On3’s JD PicKell in a one-on-one interview this week. To start, he broke down what makes each of the backs special from an individual standpoint.

“They just had so much success last year as true freshmen. Nick is kind of the home run guy, went for an 80-yarder in the Rose Bowl against Utah. He’s one of those guys that can break it at any moment,” Franklin said. “And Kaytron? (He’s) kind of like the guy that, if you’re a true football guy, you watch him. You just have a ton of respect for how he plays the game. He’s the guy that’s going to be productive carry after carry. Six yards, eight yards, 12 yards. He’ll pop a 20-yard in there. Just a very efficient running back who knows how to play the position.”

Singleton and Allen combined for 1,928 of the Nittany Lion’s 2,354 rushing yards in 2022. That number is worth 81.9% of their production when it comes to yardage. They also finished with 66% of the carries while also scoring 22 of PSU’s 28 rushing touchdowns.

Allen actually ended up with more touches on the season. Even so, it was Singleton who was more efficient as he finished with 194 more yards and two more scores. Still, regardless of whose statistics are better alone, Franklin is very excited to see what their combination continues to do, specifically in 2023.

“Based on what those two were able to do as true freshmen and behind an offensive line and a tight end group that we think are going to be better? Obviously, there’s a lot of excitement for those two to be able to take the next step,” said Franklin.

“There’s going to be a lot of people talking about those two this year,” Franklin said.

Having two weapons in the backfield like Singleton and Allen is quite the luxury for Franklin and Penn State. That will be especially true if they continue to build off their strong rookie seasons and become the players that their head coach expects them to be in the seasons to come.