Penn State junior running back Nick Singleton is poised to have another strong season, after logging 752 rushing yards one year ago.
Singleton controlled the Nittany Lions’ backfield for the last two seasons, rushing for 1,813 yards in 26 games. He has started 15 games in two seasons, logging 327 carries for 1,813 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has averaged 69.7 rushing yards per game and 12.6 yards per attempt. Singleton has excellent hands out of the backfield, recording 37 catches for 393 yards and three touchdowns throughout his collegiate career.
The Shillington, Pennsylvania native ranked 20th in rushing among Penn State history. Singleton owns five career 100-yard rushing games and six career games with multiple rushing touchdowns. Also, Singleton has 16 career runs of 20+ yards.
Before joining the Nittany Lions, Singleton played at Governor Mifflin High School where he was the team captain during his senior year. He finished with a 10-1 record during his senior season, winning the Berks Football League Section 1 title. As a junior, Singleton led Governor Mifflin to a District 5A title and an 8-1 record. He was a four-star recruit and ranked the No. 49 overall recruit and No. 4 running back by 247Sports.
Nick Singleton has been dominant with Penn State
In his freshman season with the Nittany Lions, the 6-foot, 227-pound running back recorded 12 rushing touchdowns with 1,061 rushing yards. Singleton and Kaytron Allen (867) became the first true freshman teammates in Big Ten history each with 700 or more rushing yards in a single season.
In 2022, Singleton became the 16th all-time Nittany Lion to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He joins Saquon Barkley (1,076; 2015) and D.J. Dozier (1,002; 1983) as the only PSU freshmen to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Singleton posted 179 rushing yards against Ohio in his second collegiate game, a Penn State record for a Beaver Stadium debut. He also became the first Nittany Lion with multiple 40-plus yard touchdown runs in a game and three 40-plus yard runs since Larry Johnson at Indiana on November 16, 2002.
In the 2022 Rose Bowl, Singleton scored an 87-yard rushing touchdown against Utah. His touchdown was the third-longest run in Rose Bowl Game history and the longest in the Rose Bowl Game since 2012.
Singleton appeared in 13 games, making seven starts during his sophomore season. He finished the season with 171 carries for 752 yards and eight touchdowns. Also, Singleton logged 26 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Throughout the season, Singleton returned kicks, producing 313 yards on 13 kick returns.
Nick Singleton is on pace for a big season in 2024
During Week 1 last season, Singleton produced three touchdowns in a 63-7 victory over Delaware. Singleton had his best performance against Michigan State where he registered 118 rushing yards on 18 attempts and a touchdown last season. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry in a 42-0 victory against MSU.
Singleton earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media for his efforts last season. He also received honorable mention honors from the coaches and media as a return specialist. Along with Allen, Singleton was named Penn State’s Offensive MVP. He finished last season ranked third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (105.6) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (8).
As the 2024 season inches closer, the Penn State running back received multiple Preseason Awards. He received the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Doak Walker, and Paul Hornung Award watch lists. Also, he earned second-team preseason All-American honors from Sporting News and honorable mention honors from Pro Football Focus.
Singleton had two strong seasons with the Nittany Lions and will look to continue the trend in 2024. If he can dominate on the ground, Penn State can be in the College Football Playoffs.
Mike Cavallo
A sportswriter for The League Winners covering all Rutgers athletics. Follow my social media page for all coverage of Rutgers sports. X (Twitter): @M_Cavs55