Penn State HC makes bold prediction for 2023 rushing attack

Penn State head coach James Franklin is excited about what running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen can do in 2023. In fact, he believes his two-headed monster in the backfield will end up being one of the main storylines in college football next fall.

And why wouldn't he believe that? The proof is in the pudding so far.

Penn State had the 45th-best rushing attack in the country last season (averaging 181.08 yards per contest on the ground), and Singleton and Allen were only true freshmen. With a season of experience under their belts plus another offseason, Franklin believes the duo can really turn heads in the Big Ten as well as nationally.

“They just had so much success last year as true freshmen. Nick is kind of the home run guy, went for an 80-yarder in the Rose Bowl against Utah. He’s one of those guys that can break it at any moment,” Franklin told On3. “And Kaytron? (He’s) kind of like the guy that, if you’re a true football guy, you watch him. You just have a ton of respect for how he plays the game. He’s the guy that’s going to be productive carry after carry. Six yards, eight yards, 12 yards. He’ll pop a 20-yard in there. Just a very efficient running back who knows how to play the position.”

Singleton rushed 156 times for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging a more-than-healthy 6.8 yards per run. Allen had 167 carries for 867 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per pop.

That's an average of six yards per carry between the two backs, which is more than enough to qualify as a dominant running game.

They could be even better in 2023, though, according to Franklin.

“Based on what those two were able to do as true freshmen and behind an offensive line and a tight end group that we think are going to be better? Obviously, there’s a lot of excitement for those two to be able to take the next step,” said Franklin.

“There’s going to be a lot of people talking about those two this year."