Penn State enters 2025 with one of the most established and productive backfields in college football. Seniors Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen return as the backbone of an offense they’ve powered for three straight seasons. Behind them, second-year backs Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith, along with redshirt sophomore Cam Wallace, bring energy and promise to a young, talented rotation. With two true freshmen added to the mix, the room stands as one of the most loaded position groups on the roster. As the Nittany Lions pursue a Big Ten title, their running backs will remain central to the program’s success.
Singleton and Allen Anchor Penn State’s 2025 Offense
Dynamic Duo
Penn State’s offensive identity continues to revolve around its star tandem of Singleton and Allen. Both senior tailbacks bypassed early NFL Draft consideration to return, fresh off a milestone year in 2024. Singleton ran for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Allen posted 1,108 rushing yards and eight scores. It was the first time in school history that two Penn State players each eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.
Last Word on College Football was in Las Vegas to cover Big Ten Media Days, where head coach James Franklin said, “It’s amazing to me that both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have a chance to be the all-time leading rushers in Penn State history, and they’ve been sharing carries their entire career”. Franklin came across as energized not only by their past success but also by their continued upside and untapped potential.
Despite splitting carries since their arrival in 2022, the duo has combined for nearly 6,000 rushing yards across three seasons.
Complementary Styles Power a Nationally Elite Duo
Singleton and Allen offer contrasting skill sets, making them one of the most versatile duos in the country. Singleton delivers explosive plays with 22 career runs of 20 yards or more, including five over 50 yards (gopsusports.com). He also led all returning Power Four running backs in 2024 receiving yards, catching 41 passes for 375 yards and five touchdowns.
Allen provides a steadier rhythm. He’s a physical, downhill runner with strong vision and consistent decision-making. Since 2023, he has earned a 92.5 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranks as the second-best among all returning Power Four backs. He excels in pass protection and gives Penn State flexibility on any down. At Media Days, Franklin said that rotating between the two “makes it difficult for defenses to adapt quickly.” With both seniors returning, the run game remains the foundation of the offensive game plan.
Together, they give Penn State a reliable and explosive tandem that sets a high bar for backfields nationwide.
Quality Depth Behind the Starters
Behind the top two, Penn State’s backfield includes a trio of young runners eager for expanded roles. Redshirt freshmen Martin Jr. and Smith, along with redshirt sophomore Wallace, will compete for rotational snaps and third-string duties. All three were four-star recruits with explosive potential.
Smith made his mark in 2024 with the longest run of the season, a 78-yard dash in his debut. He finished with 152 yards on 22 carries and showed track-speed quickness at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds. His burst fits perfectly into Penn State’s perimeter run schemes.
Martin also appeared in four games and totaled 32 rushing yards, though his pedigree suggests far more. A top-100 national prospect (per 247Sports), the 6-foot-1, 206-pound back scored twice in the Blue-White Spring game and continues to show growth in pass-catching and balance through contact. “Nick and Kaytron are incredible running backs. I get to learn and critique my game by watching them, watching what they do to prepare,” Martin said of his development process (SI.com). His patience and preparation may be rewarded if the opportunity arises.
Cam Wallace Leads the Pack, For Now
Wallace opened last season as the team’s No. 3 running back before suffering an early-season injury. Now healthy, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound redshirt sophomore adds a different gear with his short-area quickness and speed in space. Linebacker Tony Rojas called Wallace “hard to tackle” and “a problem in space” during Spring camp (StateCollege.com). Wallace posted 18 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown before injury, but the burst he showed on film, particularly his first-step quickness and acceleration through contact, stands out.
Franklin offered a straightforward update on the RB3 battle this Spring. “I would say Cam Wallace right now is probably in the lead,” he said. “But I think it’s a battle between all three of them. I think both Quinton and Corey will play this year, if we were playing tomorrow. Cam Wallace would probably be our third back.”
That trust speaks volumes. Whether in late-game situations, blowouts, or injury relief, Penn State knows it can turn to Wallace, Martin, or Smith without a major drop-off. All three give the Nittany Lions dependable depth now and potential successors for 2026. Until then, they provide fresh legs and insurance for one of the deepest backfields in the country.
Newcomers Learning the Ropes: Hayes and Wallace-Coleman
Two true freshmen, Tikey Hayes and Jabree Coleman, joined the program this offseason and add even more talent to the room. Both are expected to redshirt in 2025, but they arrive with high school production and physical tools that bode well for the future.
Hayes, a four-star recruit from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, topped 6,000 career rushing yards in high school and enrolled early. At 5-foot-11, 204 pounds, he impressed in Winter workouts. Strength coach Chuck Losey praised his approach. “Tikey Hayes has been incredibly impressive so far. He’s wired right, everything he does is important to him” (basicbluesnation.com).
Coleman was another four-star signee from Philadelphia. He checks in at 6-foot-0, 209 pounds and was rated a top-25 back in his class. Since he did not enroll early, he’ll spend this Fall learning the system and adjusting to the college game. With veterans ahead of them, both freshmen are likely to focus on development and scout-team reps.
Even with limited roles in 2025, their presence continues the steady pipeline of high-end backs flowing through Happy Valley.
A Backfield Built to Carry a Title Run
Penn State’s running backs offer the right combination of star power and depth. Singleton and Allen lead the way behind a veteran offensive line, and Franklin has emphasized keeping them healthy. “The pressure has switched to me now. I’ve got to keep them healthy, I’ve got to get them better,” he said.
Behind them, Martin, Smith, Wallace, and the incoming freshmen give the unit flexibility and long-term stability. If things go as planned, the Nittany Lions’ ground game could be one of the nation’s most difficult to stop. Expect Singleton and Allen to shine again, and the next wave of talent to leave its mark before long.
The tradition of running back is alive and well in State College. This group has a chance to set the standard not just for the Franklin era, but for all of college football in 2025.
Main Photo:Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
