Nicholas Singleton 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Penn State alum Saquon Barkley just had one of the greatest running back seasons in NFL history. The Nittany Lions will have more tailbacks playing on Sundays in the near future. They boast the nation’s best tandem of backs in 2025, Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Singleton is an explosive playmaker who’s been a focal point of the offense ever since he stepped foot on campus. He is among the top running backs in the 2026 class and is a potential first-round pick. Singleton’s been an incredibly productive player, but how does his skillset translate to the next level?

2026 NFL Draft: Nicholas Singleton Player Profile

Background

Singleton was a five-star recruit coming out of Governor Mifflin (Pennsylvania). He was the top-ranked running back in the Class of 2022 and chose to stay close to home by committing to Penn State. It didn’t take long for Singleton to live up to the hype, rushing for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns on 156 attempts as a true freshman. Many expected him to take the next step in 2023 and enter the Heisman discussion. That wouldn’t be the case, as Singleton regressed as a sophomore. He had more carries than in 2022, but rushed for just 752 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards-per-attempt dropped from 6.8 in 2022 to 4.4 in 2023.

It took a year longer than expected, but Singleton had his best season to date in 2024. He had 172 carries for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns, and had similar efficiency to his freshman year. The Nittany Lions reached the Big Ten Championship and made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Singleton has improved as a receiver every season, culminating in 2024 with 41 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns.

Strengths

Few backs match Singleton’s top-end speed in college football. He has that extra gear that gives him the ability to break off an explosive play anytime he has an open field. Singleton displays good vision and patience, being able to find the right gaps and let blocking schemes develop. His disciplined running style is complemented by great short-area movement. He can quickly shift directions and improvise to find the open lane. Versatility is another one of Singleton’s strengths, as he can line up out wide, which allows offensive coordinators to get creative with him on the field. He’s a legitimate threat as a pass-catcher that brings value in third-down situations. Singleton also brings value to special teams and has proven to be a quality returner.

Weaknesses

While Singleton’s frame is good for a running back, measuring at 6-foot and 224 pounds, his physicality can leave a lot to be desired. He doesn’t break tackles as frequently as he should, given his athletic profile. There are times he gets brought down easily and loses reps early in the down. It’s not that Singleton is incapable of winning with physicality, as he’s been able to at times. The potential of a bruising runner is there; it just needs to show up on tape more consistently.

Overview

Singleton is one of the most important players entering the 2025 season. If Penn State is going to break through and win a national championship, he will be one of the main reasons. His combination of speed, vision, and versatility makes him a premier prospect at the position. If Singleton can be more consistent with breaking tackles and winning physically, he can surpass Jeremiyah Love as the top back in the 2026 NFL Draft. Singleton’s production catching the ball out of the backfield gives him the potential to be an every-down player. He fits best in a zone scheme where he can run outside the tackles and use his vision to progress through gaps. Singleton currently projects as either a late first-round pick or an early second-rounder. If he improves as a contact runner, then he can firmly cement himself as a first-round selection.