Nicholas Singleton

NFL Draft Profile: Nicholas Singleton

Position: Running Back | School: Penn State | Class: Senior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 224 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back (Power / Speed Hybrid)

College Career Summary

Nicholas Singleton leaves Happy Valley as arguably the greatest statistical running back in Penn State history, surpassing the legendary Saquon Barkley for both the career rushing touchdown record (45) and total touchdowns (55). A former five-star recruit and Gatorade National Player of the Year, Singleton made an immediate impact with a 1,000-yard freshman season.

While his 2025 campaign was statistically quieter than his junior year due to a mid-season offensive slump and the emergence of Kaytron Allen as a reliable grinder, Singleton remained the team's primary home-run threat. He finished his storied career with 3,461 rushing yards and nearly 1,000 receiving yards, proving to be a versatile weapon who can contribute in the return game, as a receiver, and as a primary ball carrier.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 123 Carries, 549 Yds, 14 TD (4.5 avg)

• Receiving: 24 Receptions, 219 Yds, 1 TD

• Career Total TDs: 55 (45 Rushing, 9 Receiving, 1 Kick Return)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	@ West Virginia	13/114/1	A	Explosive Opener. Showed classic home-run speed early.
4	vs Illinois	16/94/1	B+	Physical running against a tough Big Ten front; high effort.
5	@ UCLA	11/39/0	D	Season Low. Neutralized by a fast Bruin defense; lacked rhythm.
7	vs #4 Ohio St	6/18/1	C	Limited volume in a tough loss; salvaged the day with a goal-line score.
8	@ Indiana	10/71/2	B+	The Bounce Back. Responsible for 3 total TDs (1 Rec); high impact.
11	vs Nebraska	7/44/2	B	Efficient red-zone usage; showcased power to cross the plane.
12	@ Rutgers	9/86/2	A+	Record-Breaking Finale. Surpassed Saquon Barkley's TD records.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Leadership: A quiet, steady leader who shared the backfield for four years without a single complaint. Pro's pro.

• Mental Toughness: Faced a "down" 2023 and mid-2025 season but finished his career as a record-breaker.

• Competitor: Thrives in big moments (e.g., Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Rivalry games).

• Star Power: He is a "freak" athlete who forces defensive coordinators to account for him on every snap.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 224 lbs. (Hits both targets perfectly). Prototypical NFL frame.

• Stamina: High-end durability; has played heavy snaps across four Big Ten seasons.

• Injury History: Mostly medically clean; played through minor "dings" in 2024 but missed very little time.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Ball Security: Solid. Maintains high-and-tight carriage in traffic.

• Vision: Good, though he occasionally looks for the "home run" too early instead of taking the 4 yards.

• Contact Balance: Elite. Squats over 650 lbs; runs through arm tackles with ease.

• Catching: Very natural. 102 career catches prove he is a legitimate receiving threat.

• Pass Block: Prototypical. He has the size and "want-to" to stone blitzing linebackers.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Speed: Elite. Track-verified (10.89 100m) and has hit 23.6 mph on GPS. True breakaway gear.

• Agility/COD: Good lateral twitch for a 225-lb back, though he can run "tall" at times.

• Acceleration: Exceptional. Reaches top speed instantly once he sees the crease.

• Break Tackle: Uses a combination of a stiff arm and raw power to finish runs forward.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Awareness: High football IQ; excels in finding cutback lanes in zone-run concepts.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Prototypical size/speed combination; record-breaking production; elite contact balance and lower-body strength; proven pass-protection ability.

• Weaknesses: Pad level can get too high in space; has faced "regression" narratives when the offensive line struggles; shared carries may leave scouts wanting to see him as a "solo" bell-cow.

• Scheme Fit: Universal. Excels in Zone-Read and Gap/Power schemes.

• NFL Comparison: Jonathan Taylor / Nick Chubb.

Scout's Final Word

"Nicholas Singleton is a 'blue-chip' prospect. He has the size of a power back and the speed of a track star. While his 2025 yardage totals were affected by a stagnant offense, his record-breaking touchdown count proves his nose for the end zone. He is a plug-and-play NFL starter who will likely be the first or second RB off the board. Projected: Top 40 Pick."