The Penn State running back room has seen multiple highly productive players during James Franklin’s tenure.
From arguably the best Nittany Lion in recent memory to its current backfield tandem, a Franklin-era all-time Penn State team is set up well at the running back position and here’s why.
First team: Saquon Barkley (2015-17)
In 2014, Saquon Barkley committed to Rutgers. He then flipped to Penn State, which turned out to be a crucial recruiting win. He was one of the most athletically gifted players during Franklin’s tenure — if not the most.
Listed as 5-foot-11, 223 pounds during his days as a Nittany Lion, he was stronger than most defenders with a 405-pound power clean and faster than most defenders with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. Furthermore, Barkley could stop on a dime or accelerate instantly, making him a tough player to bring down.
Barkley hit the scene quickly, totaling 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in his freshman campaign. He followed that up with 1,496 yards a year later, helping lead the charge to Penn State’s resurgence under Franklin.
The 2018 first-round NFL draft pick put Penn State on his back at times, such as when he had 358 all-purpose yards in a 21-19 win against Iowa in 2017. He also brought the opening kickoff back for a touchdown versus Indiana and Ohio State, solidifying his case to become a first-team all-purpose All-American and a Heisman Trophy finalist that year.
Overall, Barkley sits at No. 2 on the Nittany Lions’ rushing list, carrying the ball 671 times for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Running backs Nick Singleton (10) and Kaytron Allen (13) hype each other up before the opening kick of the first round game of the College Football Playoff between Penn State and SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mustangs 38-10.
Sienna Pinney
Second team: Nick Singleton (2022-present), Kaytron Allen (2022-present)
It might be cheating to put two running backs on one team, but an exception has to be made here.
Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen should be rated the same. They’ve been a productive duo the past three seasons, and they’re arguably the best backfield combination heading into the 2025 season.
The duo came to Penn State in 2022, and their impacts were felt immediately. Singleton rushed for 1,061 yards while Allen ran for 867, the first time in Big Ten history that a pair of true freshman backs both eclipsed 700 yards.
They’ve been capable of setting new standards together as Singleton’s speed and Allen’s strength are ideal traits for a running back tandem. Defenses have to worry about the home-run threat Singleton brings, and also the hard-nosed running displayed by Allen.
This past year they both eclipsed 1,000 yards, the first time a Penn State duo has done so. The productive campaign brought Singleton and Allen up to 2,912 and 2,877 career rushing yards, respectively.
Entering their senior seasons, both backs have a realistic shot at breaking the Nittany Lions’ career rushing record, which was set by Evan Royster in 2010 with 3,932 yards.
Running back Miles Sanders (24) makes a run during the football game against Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov 10, 2018. No. 21 Penn State defeated the Badgers 22-10.
Aabha Vora
Third team: Miles Sanders (2016-18)
Miles Sanders only had one season to shine as the starter for Penn State, but his backup role for Barkley shouldn’t be forgotten.
The team got heavy usage out of Barkley in the rushing, receiving and return game. With Sanders as the backup, there wasn’t much worry in the case of an injury to Barkley.
Sanders still averaged 6.7 yards per carry when he did see the field during his two seasons as Barkley’s backup.
Once Barkley departed, Sanders was primed for a breakout year, and he took full advantage. Sanders took 220 carries for 1,274 yards in 2018, propelling him to a second-round selection in the NFL draft.
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James Franklin came to Penn State with the “Linebacker U” tradition already in place.
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