James Franklin Expects His Young Backs to Take a 'Significant Step'

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen rushed for 1,928 yards and 22 TDs last year. The Lions expect more to come.

Penn State's 2022 recruiting class delivered huge dividends last season, rushing for more than 1,900 yards, leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks and winning multiple conference and national awards.

So what does head coach James Franklin expect from the sophomores for an encore? Plenty.

"Those guys had huge years, so what you try to do is everything you possibly can that they can take a step from year 1," Franklin told reporters in State College after practice this week. "You'd love it to be as pronounced as maybe a guy who redshirted or a guy who played a complimentary role and only got a few reps a game."

Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, linebacker Abdul Carter, defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant and offensive lineman Drew Shelton were among the 23 true freshmen who played last season. Four (Singleton, Allen, Carter and Shelton) started games, and Singleton was the Big Ten freshman of the year.

The group returns to the spotlight Saturday at the Blue-White Game, where fellow members of the 2022 recruiting class, notably quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula, will reintroduce themselves to more than 70,000 fans. Beyond the quarterbacks, Franklin knows that fans want to learn more about Singleton and Allen, who rushed for a combined 1,928 yards and 22 touchdowns as freshmen.

Though the backs likely won't show much at Blue-White, Franklin said they've demonstrated plenty during spring drills.

"Everybody would be excited if those two guys, with as productive as they were last year, could take a significant step this year, and I think they can," Franklin said. "They've approached things the right way. They're obviously bigger, stronger, and faster than they were a year ago.

Not only are they faster out here running 40s, but they're faster in terms of understanding the playbook, understanding college defenses and schemes, so they won't be thinking as much this year."

Penn State also complemented Singleton and Allen with a veteran back in Trey Potts, a four-year veteran at Minnesota who has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Potts represents a smart transfer for the Lions, who get a back with Big Ten experience to ease some of the pressure on Singleton and Allen.

Further, Franklin said, the offensive line will ease that pressure as well. Shelton returns for a group that could go 9-10 deep and includes experience at tackle and guard. Running behind them, Singleton and Allen should thrive, Franklin said.

"I also think we'll be improved on the offensive line and I think we'll be similar if not improved at tight end," Franklin said. "Those things will help us."

The Blue-White Game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Big Ten Network will televise.

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