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Penn State running back Kaytron Allen set to return for 2025 season

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Penn State running back Kaytron Allen. (Credit: Steve Manuel | Blue White Illustrated)

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen is coming back for the 2025 season. His announcement came just minutes after teammate Nick Singleton also announced that he’ll be back for his senior season.

“I have learned so much about football and life from being a part of this elite organization that Coach [James] Franklin leads,” Allen posted on social media. “Going to work with Coach Seider and the Lawnboyz every day is something I will cherish forever. Penn State has been an extraordinary experience for me. This has led to my decision to return for the 2025 season.

“Throughout my life, my family and support system has been critical in helping me in my football journey. Through discussions with them, my coaches and teammates, it’s clear that we still have a lot more to accomplish as a team at Penn State. I want to thank god for putting me in this position and the opportunity to play this sport that I love. Playing in front of these fans has been an experience I will never forget. I love playing football and being able to play it in front of these great penn state fans has made it extra special. I look forward to it again next season.”

Buzzworthy: Tom Allen departure from Penn State a family decision

A member of PSU’s Class of 2022, Allen grew up in Norfolk, Va., but attended IMG Academy in Florida during his final three seasons in high school. A four-star prospect, he earned more than 30 scholarship offers and chose the Nittany Lions over schools like Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Michigan State.

Just like Singleton, Allen made an immediate impact his first season on campus, playing in all 13 games, including three starts. He finished that season with 167 carries, 867 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, which was a career-high. Allen also had 188 yards receiving on 20 receptions and a score, earning Freshman All-American honors by College Football News.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound back upped his production in each of the following seasons, totaling 902 yards rushing and six touchdowns in 2023. However, it was this past season that Allen played his best for Penn State, finishing with 1,108 yards on 220 carries and eight touchdowns. He also had 18 receptions for 153 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Allen played particularly well during Penn State’s College Football Playoff run, totaling 286 yards on 47 carries. He was particularly impressive in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, rushing for 134 yards and averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The 90.1 grade he earned from Pro Football Focus for that performance was the highest of his career.

“He is playing his tail off right now,” James Franklin said a few days after the Fiesta Bowl. “You guys recognize that. I think everybody recognizes it. I know there was a ton of conversations about Mr. Jeanty, and deservedly so from Boise. He earned that type of conversation. But I’d make the argument we got the best duo in all of college football [with Allen and Nick Singleton]. 

Although he suffered a season-ending injury against Kent State back in September, the Nittany Lions will also bring back Cam Wallace for his redshirt sophomore season next year. They also managed to play freshmen Quinton Martin and Corey Smith in four games each during the regular season, meaning they’ll both still have four years of eligibility beginning in 2025.

The staff also added former Aliquippa running back Tiqwai Hayes recently – he practiced with the team during the postseason and officially started taking classes Monday – while Philadelphia native Jabree Wallace-Coleman will join the roster this upcoming summer.

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