2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Penn State’s Running Back Nicholas Singleton

Nicholas Singleton could have left and perhaps been the second running back off the board last season, but instead, he chose to return to college and pursue a national championship in Happy Valley with a stacked Penn State roster in 2025. Singleton enters the campaign as a returning senior and will undoubtedly be one of the 2026 Draft’s blue-chip prospects.

Singleton started his Penn State career as a freshman in 2022 and exploded onto the scene. As a frosh, he led the Nittany Lions with 1,061 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while posting a whopping 6.8 yards per carry that stunned scouts. Sharing time with fellow running back Kaytron Allen, Singleton racked up 752 yards on the ground and 8 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign and 1,099 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024. He also showed off his receiving prowess in 2024 by hauling in 41 receptions for 375 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in the air.  

Strengths

Singleton measures in at 6'0" and 225 lbs. He looks more like a power runner, but he has breakaway speed and “quicks” for his larger frame. He runs sub-4.4 40-yard dash and will show well in next year’s NFL Combine when he runs the shuttle drill. Thus, teams will be looking at a prospect that can run past you, around you, or even through you.

On the field, he bursts through holes with superior vision and creates yards after contact with his big frame. He can pick up stingy yards when the box is full and with the smallest of cracks, take one to the house. Coupled with his receiving abilities, Singleton is the prototypical three-down back that NFL coordinators salivate over. 

Weaknesses

Scouts want to see more of Singleton at the Combine next February. While he may jump out of the gym in certain tests, many scouts will want to see improvements in his lateral quickness in the upcoming campaign. Others point to the “running back by committee” that exists in Happy Valley, as Singleton shares reps with future NFL star Kaytron Allen. Some wonder if he can be a true feature back, but in today’s NFL, many teams deploy multiple backs mimicking what Singleton is used to in State College. 

Conclusion 

Nicholas Singleton has first-round talent but will likely be a high second-round pick with today’s valuation of running backs. He’s not the flashy Ashton Jeanty or Jahmyr Gibbs type, and while he is first-round worthy, expect him to come off the board in the top ten picks of round two. He is a high upside feature back with the size and speed to be a monster at the next level.