Penn State’s all-time leader in rushing yards is headed to the NFL.
Kaytron Allen, who wrapped his collegiate career with 4,180 yards on the ground — the most by a Nittany Lions tailback — was selected in the sixth round (No. 187 overall) by the Washington Commanders.
He joins former position mate Nicholas Singleton, who was drafted in the fifth round, 165th overall, by the Tennessee Titans.
“That’s my brother before anything,” Allen said of Singleton to NBC at the Draft Combine. “We got a great relationship. Came in with the same plan, same dreams, same goals. Me competing with him 24/7 made me better as a man, a person and as a player. I hope I did the same thing for him.”
Allen is the eighth Nittany Lion to be selected, following offensive linemen Vega Ioane (14th overall, Ravens) and Drew Shelton (112th, Cowboys), quarterback Drew Allar (76th, Steelers), defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (120th, Packers), safety Zakee Wheatley (151st, Panthers), Singleton and defensive lineman Zane Duant (181st, Bills).
The past two seasons, Allen led Penn State in rushing yards. In 2025, he was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Allen and Singleton in 2024 both eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards, making them the first duo in Penn State history to do so in the same season.
Over 54 career games (24 starts), Allen rushed 769 times, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, with 39 touchdowns. He added 70 catches for 490 yards and four scores.
A native of Norfolk, Va., Allen rushed for a career-high 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns last season with Penn State, averaging 108.6 yards per game.
His career rushing attempts at Penn State also rank first all-time in program history, while he sits third in touchdowns and fifth in all-purpose yards (4,711).