Nick Singleton

Penn State RB

Nick Singleton is cut from the same cloth as Saquon Barkley, one of Penn State’s most legendary running backs, blessed with speed, power, and elite football instincts.

His impact on the team—and the stat sheet—grows with every game. Singleton defines what it means to be a game-changer, consistently delivering in clutch moments.

He showcased that in dramatic fashion, single-handedly rescuing the Nittany Lions from a dogfight with heavy underdog Bowling Green. Singleton racked up 133 total yards and two touchdowns, including a game-sealing 41-yard sprint with just under five minutes remaining.

A fan favorite, Singleton burst onto the scene the moment he arrived on campus, just 90 minutes from his hometown of Shillington, PA. As a true freshman, he validated the hype that surrounded him at Governor Mifflin High School, where he was named Pennsylvania’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Singleton rushed for over 1,000 yards his first season, including a 179-yard, two-touchdown performance against Ohio in just his second game. A week later, he dazzled with 124 yards on 10 carries and added two more touchdowns in a statement win over Auburn. He capped his freshman campaign with a 120-yard, two-touchdown explosion in Penn State’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah.

Singleton’s sophomore season was even more impressive. He totaled nearly 1,400 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, emerging as a dual-threat weapon, combining his rushing prowess with his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield.

Perhaps Singleton’s most underrated trait is his unselfishness. He shares the backfield with fellow standout Kaytron Allen, forming the most dangerous one-two punch in college football. Instead of competing for the spotlight, the two have embraced their complementary styles—Allen’s bruising power and Singleton’s explosive breakaway speed—making Penn State’s rushing attack one of the most feared in the nation.

While Penn State is known as “Linebacker U,” the running back position holds a special place in Nittany Lion lore. Singleton follows in the footsteps of legends like Saquon Barkley, Miles Sanders, Ki-Jana Carter, and John Cappelletti. Though often compared to Barkley, Singleton’s pure speed and downhill running style draw closer comparisons to Carter, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft.

Singleton’s NFL draft stock is already soaring, with many analysts projecting him as one of the first running backs off the board, possibly earning a first-round grade. His combination of speed, power, and ability to contribute in the passing game makes him an ideal fit for today’s NFL, where versatility is key.

Singleton’s breakaway speed makes him a nightmare for defenders in the open field, and NFL teams looking for a home-run threat are sure to have him high on their draft boards.

As the draft approaches, Nick Singleton’s name is set to dominate headlines, just as it has in Happy Valley. His journey from Penn State standout to future NFL star seems all but certain, and his potential at the next level only adds to the excitement surrounding his already stellar college career.

WATCH: Where Nick Singleton Fits in Nittany Lions’ Running Back Pantheon