Leading up to the Blue-White Game on April 26, we will examine Penn State football’s position groups through spring practice and into the summer before what’s expected to be a big season in Happy Valley.
Today, we examine the running back room with arguably the best duo in college football.
Nicholas Singleton
Penn State’s speed back and primary kick returner, Singleton remained loyal to PSU and will return for his senior season.
One of the most dynamic backs in the country, Singleton could have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft or entered the transfer portal.
“We still have goals we want to reach as a team, and I want to be alongside my teammates as we reach those goals,” Singleton said in a statement in January.
Singleton rushed for a career-best 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games during his junior campaign. He added career highs in receptions (41), receiving yards (375), and receiving touchdowns (five), totaling 1,474 yards from scrimmage.
His next rushing attempt will be his 500th and he has a chance to become Penn State’s all-time leading rusher, currently in 10th place and 1,021 yards away from breaking Evan Royster’s mark.
Kaytron Allen
Many expected one of the dynamic duo to return for their senior years, but Allen announcing his return to Happy Valley minutes after Singleton proved this is a team on a mission.
Allen sits just outside the top 10 in career rushing yards at PSU (2,877) and therefore has an opportunity to chase down Royster. Both backs rushed for over 1,000 yards last season as Allen led the way with 1,108 and cracking the milestone for the first time.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.The lawnboyz are back but will compete this season without RB coach Ja’Juan Seider, who took the same position at Notre Dame.
Allen averaged 5.1 yards per carry his first three seasons and has been splitting time with Singleton since their freshman year. Both are likely going to be drafted in 2026 but look to take care of unfinished business and try to win a national championship at Penn State.
Corey Smith
Smith rushed for 152 yards on 22 carries in four games, including the longest run of Penn State’s season (78 yards). Maintaining his redshirt, the 5-10 back from Milwaukee will battle Quinton Martin Jr. to become the third back. Smith impressed in limited action and showed shiftiness at the line of scrimmage that can help establish himself as a dependable guy.
Quinton Martin
A four-star recruit from Belle Vernon High School outside of Pittsburgh, Martin Jr. also maintained his redshirt despite appearing in six games, according to the PSU website. He only totaled 32 yards, plus a 27-yard kickoff return, but ran the ball three times to help close out the SMU playoff win.
The Rest of the Room
The rest of the room includes redshirt sophomore Cam Wallace, redshirt senior Amiel Davis, senior Tyler Holzworth, and freshman Tikey Hayes. A WPIAL champion and power back from state power Aliquippa outside of Pittsburgh, Hayes enters PSU at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds and could be bound for a redshirt season.
The Blue-White game begins at 2 p.m. from a new-look Beaver Stadium.
