Spearheading the backfield of one of college football’s most historic programs are just two kids from Shillington, Pennsylvania, and Norfolk, Virginia.
Nick Singleton stayed in his home state of Pennsylvania after playing his high school football for Governor Mifflin High School in Shillington. Singleton was the 2021-22 Gatorade Football Player of the Year and a five-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class by 247sports’s composite rankings and was expected to make an immediate impact.
Kaytron Allen was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia before transferring to the highly touted IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Ranked as the 12th running back in the 2022 class, Allen was also expected to make a significant impact during his time at Penn State. Alongside Singleton, they both went above and beyond so far in their college careers.
Singleton and Allen both received significant touches and playing time with former Penn State running back Keyvone Lee during their first collegiate game against Purdue in 2022. Against Ohio in his first home game as a true freshman, Singleton broke a 70-yard touchdown in the first quarter, electrifying the Beaver Stadium crowd and displaying to the fans what they were in for.
Get to know the name, B1G fans: Nick Singleton.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 10, 2022
The freshman RB goes 70 yards for his first career TD. 🏃♂️💨@NickSingletonn x @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/h7rqFoTLqJ
Both of the ‘Lawn Boyz’ made their mark on more of a national stage when the Nittany Lions traveled down south for a test against Auburn. Singleton finished the game with 10 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns, while Allen had two rushing touchdowns of his own on 52 yards. Ever since that blowout 42-13 win, the duo has not looked back.
Earlier this week, Singleton and Allen both announced their intentions to return to the program for their senior seasons. The news has had Penn State fans jacked up all week because Penn State will now remain a true contender for the National Championship next season. Alongside championship aspirations, Singleton and Allen have a shot at stamping themselves in the Penn State football record books forever.
Penn State’s all-time leading rusher is Evan Royster. Royster’s career spanned from 2007-2010, and he finished his Penn State career with 3,932 rushing yards. This was nearly broken by Saquon Barkley, who finished with 3,843 rushing yards in just three seasons. However, Barkley is the program's career leader in rushing touchdowns (43) and scrimmage touchdowns (51).
Singleton currently sits 1,020 rushing yards behind Royster, and 11 rushing touchdowns and 11 scrimmage touchdowns behind Barkley, with 2,912 career rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, and 40 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Allen’s 24 career rushing touchdowns and 28 touchdowns from scrimmage do not provide him a feasible shot at Barkley’s records, but he has a good chance at the all-time program rushing record. Allen has rushed for 2,877 yards in his career, 1,045 behind Royster. Obviously Allen is competing with Singleton for the record, but it would be even cooler if they both broke Royster’s record.
The newly expanded college football playoff is a big factor in their pursuit of these records. Along with making the Big Ten championship game, Penn State played 15 games last year, which gave Singleton and Allen extra opportunities for more yards and touchdowns.
Barring any injuries, they both should come very close to Royster’s all-time program rushing record. The best chance is Singleton breaking Barkley’s touchdowns from scrimmage record, which fans should likely expect to occur.
The return of the ‘Lawn Boyz’ brings immense excitement around the program for the 2025 season, and let’s hope the potent duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have a record-shattering season.