Penn State true freshman backs turning heads, earning respect

Naturally, Penn State’s in-house video Tweeted Wednesday afternoon drew attention. Focused exclusively on the Nittany Lions running back position, the one-minute, 17-second clip was full of soundbites and impressive carries.

At the top, running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider barked encouragement. Veterans Devyn Ford and Keyvone Lee were there to lead the way.

But it was Seider’s comments a third of the way through that signaled the reality of Penn State’s room as it progresses through preseason camp. 

“Every day is an opportunity,” he said. “An opportunity to get better, an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to compete, an opportunity to take a job.”

Penn State football running back video

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Slow feet don't eat 😏🍽️⛽️#WeAre | @CoachSeider pic.twitter.com/E1bseUKjj5

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 10, 2022

Two of the most eye-popping participants of the video, true freshmen Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, are determined to do exactly that as the 2022 season draws near.

And, if head coach James Franklin’s comments after practice are any indication, the pair boasts the qualities necessary to do exactly that.

“They’ve been really good. Both of them have been,” Franklin told reporters. “There have been a lot of conversations about Nick Singleton, but him and Kaytron, there is a buzz within our program about those two guys and what they’re doing.

“I know Sean’s excited about it. I know the young quarterbacks are excited because they’re gonna have more time with them. But I think it’s created really good competition in that room.”

The contenders

In Allen, the Nittany Lions feature a 5-foot-11, 211-pound back who demonstrated his combination of speed and power in the video. Singleton, meanwhile, lists out at 6-foot, 219 pounds with equally impressive burst and strength.

In a storyline that has only grown since January arrivals for both on campus, the collective impression left hasn’t been limited to the offensive side of the ball or social media viewership, either, this preseason.

Sizing up Penn State’s talented duo, defensive stalwart Ji’Ayir Brown explained what each brings to the table.

“This freshman class has done extraordinary. Kaytron, he’s more of your power, elusive, he’s a mixture of everything. And Nick is the same way,” Brown said. “I think Nick power cleaned about 375 and he shows it on the field. His breakaway speed is crazy. Once Nick gets in the open field, there’s no stopping him. This guy, he’s extremely fast and extremely talented and he’s ready to go as well. 

“Kaytron is the same way. He came in a little slow in the spring, as all rookies will come in. But now I think he’s starting to play like himself. He’s more comfortable, he’s more relaxed, he’s starting to see more. He’s busting open runs and he’s getting out there.”

Next steps

Those truths don’t come without caveats, however.

Tempered by Franklin himself somewhat, the talents and work ethics that have lifted the profiles of both players to be able to compete for significant roles this preseason, the bridge between impressive practice performances and in-game achievement has yet to be spanned.

With all of the tools seemingly at hand to do so, though, Franklin acknowledged the path to the playing field is marked for both players in the coming weeks and months.

“Once again, they gotta go out and do it under the lights against Big Ten competition, and other teams and other conferences that we play,” Franklin said. “But, they are big enough, they are strong enough, they both seem to have pretty high football IQs. They don’t seem to be overwhelmed. 

“I think the fact that they both were able to be here in the spring and summer helped too. But they’re doing really well. They’re doing really well. And they both have really earned a lot of respect already in a short period of time.”