Penn State's Nicholas Singleton Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Singleton is the first Lion to win the award since Christian Hackenberg in 2013.

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton, who helped revive the team's rushing offense with fellow freshman Kaytron Allen, has been named the Big Ten freshman of the year.

Singleton became the first Penn State player to win the award since quarterback Christian Hackenberg in 2013. He joined defensive end Deion Barnes (2012) and running back Curtis Enis (1995) in winning the award.

Singleton, the 2021 Gatorade National Player of the Year, quickly became a factor in Penn State's rejuvenated run game this season. He has rushed for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting the team's freshman record for rushing scores. Singleton leads all FBS freshmen in yards per carry (6.32) and ranks second in the FBS with six rushing touchdowns of 20+ yards.

Singleton, named third-team all-Big Ten at running back, and Allen (honorable mention) significantly upgraded a run game that was among the Big Ten's worst in 2021. They led the offense with a combined 147.6 rushing yards per game, averaging more than eight Big Ten teams, and ranked first nationally among freshman duos.

Singleton won the freshman award in part because of his return skills as well. He was named second-team kickoff returner Tuesday.

Ten Lions earned all-conference honors on offense, including five linemen. That's a huge upgrade over 2021, when the Lions had just one lineman (third-team pick Rasheed Walker) earn all-conference honors. Left tackle Olu Fashanu, who will return to Penn State next season, was a second-team selection.

In all, this year's all-Big Ten teams demonstrated the depth of young talent on Penn State's roster. The Lions had 22 players earn all-Big Ten honors this year, with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. the lone first-team selection.

Penn State had four first-team players in 2021 (Jaquan Brisker, Jahan Dotson, Arnold Ebiketie and Jordan Stout) but 11 all-Big Ten players overall.

Here are Penn State's all-Big Ten offensive players for 2022:

Second Team

• Tackle Olu Fashanu

Third Team

• Running Back Nicholas Singleton
• Center Juice Scruggs
• Tight End Brenton Strange

Honorable Mention

• Running Back Kaytron Allen
• Quarterback Sean Clifford
• Lineman Bryce Effner
• Lineman Hunter Nourzad
• Receiver Parker Washington
• Lineman Sal Wormley

PENN STATE FANS: SI Tickets is your one-stop shop for tickets to a variety of Penn State sporting events, from football to basketball, hockey to volleyball. Need tickets to the Penn State game? Check out SI Tickets.

Read More

Penn State returns to the CFP Top 10

Olu Fashanu, Penn State's standout lineman, to return in 2023

Joey Porter Jr. leads Penn State's all-Big Ten defensive selections

Lions look toward the future after a big finish vs. Michigan State

Penn State has a very real chance to make the Rose Bowl

Penn State-Michigan State report card: Making their bowl case

Penn State 35, Michigan State 16: The breakdown from Beaver Stadium

Big Ten should be 'pounding the table' for more playoff access, James Franklin says

Penn State's defense believes it's 'on the edge of greatness'

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.