Build-A-Back Workshop: Penn State Running Back Edition

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Hand up, this exercise won’t be as fun or nearly as debatable as Wednesday’s ‘Build-A-Blocker’ blog featuring the Penn State offensive line…but we have an obligation to fill the digital newshole, so here we are.

Not only is Penn State’s 2023 RB room more top-heavy than a bodybuilder who ignores Leg Day, the dynamic duo sitting atop the depth chart – sophomores Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton – are vastly different runners with their own unique skillsets. And while that lack of redundancy between the two makes Batman and Fatman an ideal complementary 1-2 punch and a headache for opposing tacklers, it also makes this pick-and-choose hypothetical entirely predictable.

Heck, for the sake of mixing things up, we briefly considered adding an ‘Experience’ category to this story, so I could serve up a softball for fifth-year Minnesota transfer/Williamsport native Trey Potts…but Allen and Singleton’s individual freshmen season carries nearly eclipsed Potts’ four-year totals. So that wouldn’t have worked. Not to mention the stages and the stakes for Singleton and Allen’s runs were much grander than what Potts experienced.

Hands: Allen

Kaytron pulled in 20/24 targets out of the backfield with 0 drops in 2022. Conversely, Singleton dropped 4 passes in 17 targets…making this an easy choice.

Not only did Allen catch the football, he made things happen once he did. Allen’s 188 receiving yards ranked the 3rd-most among all freshman RBs in college football and his 11.0 yards after catch/reception ranked 2nd among B1G RBs. He did drop what would have been a TD in the 2023 Blue-White Game but we talkin’ ‘bout practice at this point.

Defensive coordinators will want to make Drew Allar’s life difficult with pressure – until he commands their respect. Until he does, screens and check-downs are going to be a big part of the gameplan early on. Having a multidimensional threat like Kaytron will take a lot of weight off the young QB’s shoulders.

Long Speed: Singleton

When Kaytron runs away from you he’s going East-West in search of daylight. When Nick does it his compass is always pointed North. Singleton is something Penn State hasn’t had on its roster since 2019 — a stone cold home-run hitter.

Singleton had five games last year with multiple scores. Perhaps the most impressive jaunt wasn’t even a rushing attempt — the 100-yard kickoff return against Rutgers. When you click below be sure to take note of the fluidity in his hips; he’s essentially at full speed in, out of, and the whole way through his cuts.

Field Vision: Allen

No shade to Governor Mifflin (Singleton’s HS alma mater) and its triple-option, toss-heavy rushing attack, but IMG Academy is a prep school for football semi-professionals – and its modern offense prepped Allen to enter college without a learning curve, ready to run. Kaytron’s no stranger to the film room and it shows in his patience and reads. He’s surgical with his juke steps inside the tackles but if you over-commit he’ll find the edge and take an extra 10-plus yards.

Allen’s the Crown-wearer of the Cutback, the Wizard of the Weakside, he’s the Great Zone-bino. His position coach went so far as to compare him to Le’Veon Bell – I’m sure he meant the Pro Bowler from Pittsburgh and not the runner’s forgettable years with the Jets.

Pass Protection: Allen

Picking up a blitz is 80% diagnosing the free rusher and 20% getting there. It often involves sticking your face directly into the propeller blades but it’s mostly a finesse, above-the-shoulders game.

There were a few years there where the aforementioned Le’Veon Bell was widely considered the best pass protecting back in football. Allen isn’t there yet but he comes from a more balanced system and brings a more balanced skillset. Nick may be the more talented player but Kaytron is the more complete player.

Contact balance: Singleton

This category actually required some thought, but ultimately we picked Nick.

Singleton averaged 4.6 yards after contact as a true freshman, 2nd among all Power Five running backs with at least 68 rushing attempts. For those scoring at home, that means 68% of his total rushing yards came after the defense made first contact. Point him in a direction and he’ll run around, over or through anything in his way.

According to the latest roster update, Singleton is up to 228 pounds. The added mass will help him absorb and redirect momentum. To be clear, Kaytron is no slouch in this area, either, but there’s a new Fatman in town.