For James Franklin, there’s an unspoken understanding this offseason: Drew Allar’s development will shape the ceiling of Penn State’s 2025 campaign. But the Nittany Lions’ championship ambitions don’t rest entirely on Allar’s right arm. Instead, Franklin’s program is leaning into a more balanced identity this spring, anchored by a veteran backfield that returned intact.
Between Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Penn State brings back a tandem that has combined for 5,705 career rushing yards—more than any returning duo in the nation. It’s a foundation designed not only to stabilize the offense but to give Allar the space to grow into the role the program envisioned for him.
Allar, now entering his third year as a starter, delivered a mixed bag in 2024. He finished with 3,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, posting a 153.5 passer rating. But in high-leverage situations, most notably the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame, his inconsistencies surfaced. Allar threw a costly interception in the fourth quarter of that game, undercutting a potential game-winning drive.
To ease that burden, Penn State is betting heavily on its two-headed backfield. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy, in a recent segment on the nation’s best running backs, placed Singleton and Allen among the top five, flipping the order from conventional rankings.”At number four, I have Nick Singleton of Penn State. At number three, I have Katron Allen of Penn State, now that’s flipped for most people. Most people have Singleton ahead of Allen. I actually like it the other way around.”
He further added, “I don’t think there’s a guy in college football that I am more confident in hitting that hole and taking it the distance outside.” Singleton’s 2024 season was marked by explosive plays, recording 1,099 rushing yards on 172 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, and scoring 12 touchdowns. His ability to break through defenses provides a significant advantage for the team’s offensive strategy.
“Here’s what I love most about watching Nick when the hole is there and he hits it at 100 miles an hour, it’s different, like that game-breaking speed is different, you don’t see it, you just don’t see it very often.”
Greg also touches upon another RB with Singleton, “and the fact that he decided to return alongside Kaytron Allen to me makes a ton.” He adds, “Now Singleton, like I said, probably a little pass catcher little better pass catcher than Katron Allen, and better top end speed for sure, but there’s something about the way that Kaytron Allen grinds down the opposition that I have great admiration for.”
Allen, known for his consistent and powerful running style, contributed 1,108 rushing yards on 220 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, with 8 touchdowns in the 2024 season. His reliability in gaining steady yardage complements Singleton’s big-play potential, creating a balanced and versatile backfield.
The synergy between Allar’s developing passing game and the established running prowess of Singleton and Allen positions Penn State as a formidable contender. Franklin’s strategy to leverage this balance aims to keep defenses uncertain and capitalize on the team’s diverse offensive capabilities. As the Nittany Lions prepare for the upcoming season, the focus will be on refining this balanced approach, ensuring that Allar’s growth as a quarterback is supported by the consistent performance of the backfield duo.
Drew Allar’s dilemma looms large
Drew Allar arrived at Penn State as a former five-star recruit with the kind of expectations rarely seen in State College. Now entering his third year in the program, Allar stands at a pivotal moment in his college career. While he showed flashes of promise during Penn State’s 10–3 campaign in 2023, his development stalled against elite defenses, and his grip on the quarterback position is no longer seen as untouchable.
In the immediate aftermath of Penn State’s 24–15 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, James Franklin didn’t hide his disappointment in the offense. While he didn’t single out Allar by name, the subtext was clear: execution at quarterback needed to improve. The numbers back that up. Allar completed just 59.9% of his passes last season (20th among Big Ten quarterbacks with at least 150 attempts), and according to Pro Football Focus, he ranked near the bottom of the conference in deep ball accuracy—just 20.3% on throws of 20 yards or more.
In critical games, that inconsistency became pronounced. Against Ohio State and Michigan, Allar failed to throw for more than 200 yards, completing a combined 37 of 71 passes (52.1%) with only one touchdown and no explosive plays over 25 yards. “The margin for error in those games is razor-thin,” Franklin said after the Michigan loss. “You can’t waste possessions. We did.”
While Allar remains the projected starter heading into fall camp, Franklin has emphasized that the job must be earned, not inherited. “We’ve talked to the entire team about competition, but especially the quarterback room,” Franklin told reporters in April. “Every position has to be treated the same way. Production and consistency are what we’re looking for.”
Allar’s challenge is twofold: rebuild confidence and develop timing with a retooled receiving corps. Penn State lost KeAndre Lambert-Smith to the transfer portal but brought in Florida Atlantic’s McClain Carter and Ohio State’s Julian Fleming, the latter a former top-50 national recruit who never fully broke through in Columbus. The Nittany Lions also added tight end Kyle Morlock from Florida State, a 6-foot-6 target with pass-catching upside.
In theory, Allar now has a more explosive supporting cast, plus the benefit of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, one of the most productive running back tandems in the country. Penn State’s offensive line, anchored by Olu Fashanu last year, will need to find a new identity, but expectations are high with Phil Trautwein still overseeing development.
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