Penn State positional outlook: Breaking down the long-term picture at running back
BWI is analyzing the depth and overall outlook of each Penn State football position group at this point in the offseason, continuing today with the running backs.
Positional scholarship chart:
*Italics indicate player took a redshirt.
| Position | Seniors | Juniors | Sophomores | Freshmen |
| RB | Devyn Ford | Keyvone Lee | Caziah Holmes | Kaytron Allen Nick Singleton |
Sixth year:
None
Fifth year:
None
Fourth year
Devyn Ford
The snap count totals indicate Ford found himself firmly in fourth place on Penn State’s running back depth chart last season, playing a career-low 68 snaps. The good news for his outlook is that two of the players ahead of him have left in Noah Cain and John Lovett, but the Nittany Lions also add two talented freshmen in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Suddenly the elder statesman in the room, the former heralded prospect will look to improve on his 57-yard rushing total last season.
“His biggest hurdle is that he overanalyzes things,” running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider said during the season. “When you play football and you play running back, you’ve got to react on instincts, you’ve got to react to your training, what you see on film, and just turn it loose.”
Third year:
Keyvone Lee
Thrust into a considerable role as a freshman due to injuries elsewhere, Lee had mixed results in his second go-around. Running behind a poor Penn State offensive line, Lee failed to deliver the explosive results the Nittany Lions were missing from the running back position. He did, however, rack up 495 yards on 104 attempts, giving him a 4.8 yards per carry average that led the Nittany Lions’ backfield regulars.
Top 10
- 1Hot
SEC lacks elite talent depth
Marcus Spears explains why
- 2New
Drew Mestemaker
QB making first start since HS freshman year
- 3
CFP's 'ultimate flaw'
Paul Finebaum takes aim at CFP
- 4
Bevo will attend Cotton Bowl
Texas mascot set to return
- 5
Lane Kiffin
Parting shot at CFP committee
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
How Penn State basketball’s big men made the difference against Iowa
Caziah Holmes
Holmes took a redshirt season in 2021, appearing in three games and carrying the ball five times for nine yards. It was a step back from 51 rushing attempts as a true freshman in 2020.
Second year:
None
First year:
Nick Singleton
The top ranked running back prospect and a five-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus, Singleton seems to be capable of making an immediate impact at a position where Penn State needs help. Singleton is the first winner of the national Gatorade Player of the Year award to sign with Penn State after running for 2,059 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior.
“Penn State is getting a very strong, dedicated kid who will do whatever it takes to foster a winning program,” his high school coach, Jeff Lang, said. “He’s a great kid. A great running back and a kid of character. He’s competitive and is going to take care of business.”
Kaytron Allen
Allen is another exciting addition for the Nittany Lions at the running back position. A four-star prospect according to the On3 Consensus, and the No. 8 running back prospect in the cycle, Allen ran for over 1,400 yards, scoring 27 times for IMG Academy in the fall.
