Armed with intel, Penn State running backs poised to build on debut successes

Ja’Juan Seider doesn’t shy away from the jinx. Shepherding Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen from sterling debut seasons into their follow-ups this fall, the Penn State running back coach acknowledged the potential downside.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday evening from Holuba Hall, just days away from the Blue-White Game, Seider’s concern is offset by something more meaningful. With each player owning an approach to the game that has transitioned from last year to this, the Nittany Lions’ susceptibility to a sophomore slump is limited.

“We always talk about it, it’s a sophomore slump and it’s real. And as a coach, that’s the worst fear that we all have, is a kid that feels like they arrived,” Seider said. “If you get a chance to watch them… if you watch the way they work, it hasn’t changed. Matter of fact, it’s elevated. We’re not stopping learning, we’re still growing, and we haven’t arrived. 

“Nick is still learning the game. Kaytron is still learning the game. They haven’t felt like they mastered it yet. When they master it, they’re gonna probably be in the NFL.”

Penn State *sophomore* phenoms

Through one full season, though, they’re off to a productive start.

Singleton set a Penn State record for freshmen with 12 rushing touchdowns. He finished with 1,061 yards and became the Nittany Lions’ second-ever running back to top the milestone as a freshman, along with Saquon Barkley. He was also the conference freshman of the year.

Meanwhile, Allen cashed in with 10 rushing touchdowns of his own. They capped 867 yards on the ground during an honorable mention All-Big Ten season and co-Most Valuable Offensive Player honors from the program. 

Recognizing the necessity of continued growth, rather than a plateau, head coach James Franklin said the trick has been straightforward this spring. With such a productive first season in the books, the opportunity for sizable gain in the stat book becomes that much more difficult.

But, Franklin said, the Nittany Lion staff has poured its efforts into helping that process take hold.

“Those guys had huge years. So what you’re trying to do is do everything you possibly can that they can take a step from year one. And you’d love it to be as pronounced as maybe a guy that redshirted or a guy that played in a complementary role, backup role, and only got a few reps a game. I think everybody would be excited,” Franklin said. “And those two guys, as productive as they were last year, that they could take a significant step this year. And I think they can.”

Why?

Well, Franklin continued, the effort that created the opportunity for their success as freshmen has followed through this spring. 

“They’ve approached things the right way. They’re obviously bigger, stronger, and faster than they were a year ago,” Franklin said. “Not only are they faster out here running 40s, but they’re faster in terms of understanding the playbook, understanding college defenses and schemes. So they won’t be thinking as much this year. They’ve been in the same system now for two years. I think there’ll be value coming from that.”

Next steps

Pointing to expected improvement for Penn State this season along the offensive line, at tight end, and the potential for playmaking receivers to all work in complement to one another, Franklin said the opportunity for his running backs will in some regards be impacted beyond their control. 

Absorbing a knowledge of the game that Seider has pushed to improve this offseason, the next steps are clear. Having established a superior ability without that benefit, Seider said, its addition should create even more opportunity for outstanding successes, particularly as defenses work to stop them.

“Our biggest offseason study so far in our meeting is to find out early where the unblocked is. It’s a pre-snap, post-snap. So once we make the ID, where’s the unblocked? Is it the corner, is the free safety, is that Will? We ID the Mike,” Seider said. “It is gonna make them scary because now they know where the defender’s at. And when they get into space, they got to plan for them. 

“They’re going to be bigger, stronger, faster. We all come into the season, they all thought they were good. I’m pretty sure they didn’t know that was gonna happen, the season they had. Now they know they’re good. And now, instead of toning that down, embrace it. But play smart. You can still be an even better player, now the fact that we know how people are gonna defend us.”