MOBILE, Ala. — The pre-draft process feels like a clean slate for Penn State ‘s Nick Singleton.
Singleton had a record-setting career with the Nittany Lions, finishing his fourth and final season as Penn State’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and all-purpose yards. But the 2025 season didn’t go to plan, which has put his NFL draft stock in an unpredictable place.
That’s why this week at the Senior Bowl, the first stop on a three-month trek toward April’s NFL draft, is so important for Singleton and his future.
“I want to show that I’m a complete back,” Singleton told PennLive on Wednesday. “I want to show everyone why I’m here.”
Singleton is here in Mobile, along with Penn State’s Kaytron Allen, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant and Zakee Wheatley, as one of the most intriguing prospects in the class.
ESPN draft analyst Steve Muench has Singleton ranked as his No. 2 running back in the 2026 class behind only Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Jordan Reid and Matt Miller don’t have the former Governor Mifflin star in their top five backs.
The wide-range opinions on Singleton come after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
After falling a few points short against Notre Dame in the CFP semifinal, Singleton decided to come back for one more season at Penn State in pursuit of a national title. That didn’t happen. The Nittany Lions’ season tanked with a 3-3 start, leading to James Franklin being fired.
Singleton, meanwhile, didn’t rack up the production or the tape he thought he would. He rushed for only 549 yards on 123 carries, both of which were career-low marks.
It was clear Allen was the better option, and interim coach Terry Smith rode the hot hand down the stretch. In their final six games, Allen had 140 carries while Singleton, who didn’t look himself for most of the season, had 53.
It was a far cry from Singleton’s first three seasons, when he rushed for 2,912 yards and looked like one of the most dynamic running backs in college football.
“It wasn’t what I expected,” Singleton said. “But at the same time, I kept my head down and kept working. The coaches were rallying behind me. Some of the players, too.”
Singleton said he “started opening up and being myself again” in the second half of the season. And he had moments that matched that mentality, too.
Singleton ripped off a 59-yard run against Indiana, the eventual national champion. He had a 50-yard catch-and-run against Nebraska. And in his final game as a Nittany Lion, he had a 53-yard run (and scored twice to break the all-time rushing touchdowns record) vs. Rutgers.
It was those breakaway moments — and the countless others that Singleton provided in his three previous seasons — that gave many in the NFL draft community reason to believe he could be a riser in the class.
Miller had Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, Allen and Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne slotted ahead of Singleton in ESPN’s most recent running back rankings. But he also wrote in the days leading up to the Senior Bowl that he expected Singleton to “break out” and star in Mobile.
So far, Singleton has done well. He showcased his speed and vision, breaking off a couple nice runs during Tuesday’s team sessions. And aside from one rough rep against Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher, he was rock solid in pass protection on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
Singleton will have more opportunities to prove himself, including Saturday’s showcase game at the Senior Bowl. Next month, Singleton will be at the NFL Combine, where his speed should be on full display in the 40-yard dash. And he’ll have Penn State’s pro day in March before private visits and workouts with NFL teams.
So there is a possibility that Singleton’s stock will skyrocket, landing him firmly in the conversation to be the No. 2 running back off the board behind Love.
But for now, Singleton is focused on doing what he can to take advantage of the opportunity directly in front of him.
“This is a competitive atmosphere,” Singleton said with a smile. “You’re just trying to show them what you can do.”