For running back Nicholas Singleton, the journey to the next level didn't follow the script he once envisioned. If anything, though, it defined his time with Penn State football and his ability to respond when things don’t go as planned.
Singleton’s 2025 season didn’t unfold the way many expected, including himself. Once on pace to chase down program rushing records, he instead finished his senior campaign with a career-low 549 rushing yards. The milestone that once felt inevitable slipped out of reach, a difficult reality for a player who entered college with sky-high expectations.
RB Nicholas Singleton’s road to the NFL defined by resilience and perseverance
Still, Singleton’s impact went far beyond the stat sheet.
He closed out his college career the same way he started it, alongside his teammates, whom he often refers to as his brothers, bringing consistent work ethic, leadership, and accountability to the locker room. In a season that tested both his production and perseverance, those qualities became his defining legacy in Happy Valley.
Then came another setback.
As Singleton shifted focus to preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, an opportunity to reset and prove himself to scouts, adversity struck again. A broken foot during offseason training sidelined him at a critical moment, costing him valuable time to improve his draft stock and showcase his abilities in front of evaluators.
“It is a little frustrating,” Singleton said at Penn State’s Pro Day. “But at the same time I kept my head down, kept my circle really close, talked to people that I needed to talk to. But I’m feeling better.”
Frustration would have been understandable. Instead, Singleton chose perspective.
Even while injured, he remained present, supporting teammates at the Pro Day and continuing to embrace the leadership role that quietly defined his career. That mindset has been a common thread among several senior players on this Penn State team: a commitment to finishing strong, regardless of personal circumstances.
Singleton isn’t done making his case, either.
He expects to be fully cleared roughly a week before the draft and plans to send teams workout footage to demonstrate his progress and readiness. While he may have missed the traditional spotlight moments, he’s finding new ways to ensure evaluators see what he’s capable of.
And that may ultimately be what separates him.
Talent has never been the question, but in a league where resilience often determines longevity, Singleton’s response to adversity, on and off the field, could prove just as valuable as any 40-yard dash time or highlight run.
His path to the NFL hasn’t been smooth. But if his time at Penn State has shown anything, it’s that Singleton doesn’t need perfect conditions to keep moving forward.