Devy Diamonds: Nicholas Singleton, Running Back, Penn State
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Nicholas Singleton was a five-star prospect out of Governor Mifflin High School in Reading, Pennsylvania. Prior to choosing his school Singleton had multiple division one offers. In March of 2021 he narrowed down his offers to his top nine which included schools like Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. However, in July of 2021 he made his decision to commit to Penn State.
As a freshman Singleton was considered one of, if not the, top running backs in the class of 2026. He did not disappoint as a freshman. Singleton made an immediate impact for Penn State running for 1,061 yards with 12 rushing touchdowns. The impressive part was that he averaged 6.8 yards per carry throughout his freshman season.
Unfortunately, his sophomore season became a sort of sophomore slump. His yards per carry went down to 4.4. He did have 1,060 total yards, but 308 of those yards came from receiving. So, although his rushing finesse took a hit, his passing game work saw an uptick. He doubled his receptions from his freshman season while averaging 11.8 yards per catch. That was 4.1 yards per catch more than his freshman season.
2024 Outlook: What to Expect
Last season we saw Singleton’s running mate Kaytron Allen eat into more work. This season we could see more of the same. Singleton has the size to be a true workhorse, however, whenever a team has one-two punch like Penn State has with Singleton and Allen it becomes hard to not utilize both. The bright side is Singleton was able to show an expansion to his game through becoming more relevant in the passing game. Last season, he had 227 more receiving yards than Allen had. On the other hand, Allen had 150 more rushing yards while only carrying the ball one more time than Singleton.
In order for Singleton to keep his relevancy he will need to continue to show up in the passing game. He needs to give Penn State a reason to not take him off the field even in third down situations. In 2024 that means fighting off Allen, and freshman running back Quinton Martin. Singleton is a pure as runner between the tackles as one could want. His size and strength allow him to bully through any defensive front seven, and his speed allows him to exploit the secondary. However, if he has another season rushing below 4.5 yards per carry then his draft stock could plummet even further. His saving grace could be more work in the passing game. One thing is certain, Penn State now has a three-headed monster in the backfield with Singleton, Allen, and Martin. So, it will be interesting to see how defenses scheme up against them and how the Nittany Lions utilize all the skill-sets for their running backs.
Strengths:
- Vision. Singleton has exceptional field vision, enabling him to read blocks and find running lanes effectively. His natural instincts allow him to make quick decisions and adjust his path on the fly. This helps him navigate through traffic and maximize yardage on each carry.
- Explosive speed. Singleton possesses remarkable speed that allows him to break away from defenders and turn routine runs into touchdown plays. His quick acceleration off the snap enables him to hit holes rapidly and reach the second level of the defense with ease.
- Balance. His balance makes him difficult player to tackle. He powers through defenders with strength while maintaining a forward motion even after contact.
- Agility. He can change direction smoothly and maintain his speed through cuts, making him elusive in the open field. This allows him to avoid tackles and extend plays.
- Versatility. Singleton is a versatile back who can contribute in various aspects of the game. He is effective as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, adding a valuable dimension to the offense. His ability to run a wide range of routes and catch passes reliably makes him a dual-threat option that defenses must account for.
Areas of Improvement
- Pass protection. His technique and ability to pick up blitzes are still developing, which can be a liability in passing situations. Improving his blocking skills will be crucial for his overall development and ability to stay on the field in all situations.
- Durability. While Singleton has not had significant injury issues, his physical style of play and the demanding nature of the running back position raise potential durability concerns. Ensuring he can withstand the rigors of a full college season without wearing down or getting injured will be important for his long-term success. This could be a reason why he shares the workload often with Allen.
- Consistency. Singleton can sometimes struggle with consistency, particularly maintaining a high level of performance throughout an entire game or season. There are moment when he may disappear from the offense or fail to make an impact. Hence Allen stepping in. Working on maintaining a steady output will be crucial for him to become a top-tier running back.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day 3 Pick
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day 2 Pick
Ideal Landing Spot: Chicago Bears
This thought of Singleton becoming a Chicago Bear could change if the Bears current running back Roschon Johnson steps up. Johnson is a bruiser back that can run between the tackles, a similar play style to Singleton. However, last season he had less than 100 rushing attempts while averaging 4.35 yards per carry. The team brought in running back D’Andre Swift which I assume will be their primary back this season. Swift had his best rushing season behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL last season, the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, on a new team with a less attractive offensive line, Swift will try to be the lead back while splitting some time with Johnson and Khalil Herbert. My point is the team seems to be in need of a bruiser back to bully his way between the tackles. Insert Singleton. The team will not have to invest heavy draft capital in him, but could possibly draft Singleton in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Singleton would immediately make an impact for the team as their early down back and potentially their full workhorse back. Regardless, the team drafted their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams with the first overall pick and I assume they will continue to build weapons around him.
Fantasy Impact
Singleton has all the traits to be an RB1 for your fantasy teams, however, his competition for snaps has those same traits. I do enjoy watching Singleton play and believe he will be a great asset for any NFL team, as well as, your fantasy teams. He has shown he can be effective even when he does not get the full workload. Some may be sleeping on him due to the emergence of his backfield mate Kaytron Allen, and even more with incoming freshman Quinton Martin. This means there might not be a better time to buy in on Singleton. Early on he was thought of to be the top back of the 2025 class. Since that time much has changed and other backs have entered the mix. Regardless, the 2025 running back class will be one of the deepest we have seen at the position. Singleton will likely be within the top five prospects at his position. At a pro level he offers the ability to be an every down back, a true workhorse. On the other hand, he can also be the thunder for a team wanting a solid one-two punch. Either way he is a back you will want on your fantasy teams next season because in the right opportunity he could become a top 15 or even top 10 running back at an NFL level.
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