This Penn State Nittany Lions star is in big trouble at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Penn State Nittany Lions have nine players in attendance at the NFL Scouting Combine this week, but one of them in particular is in big trouble: running back Nicholas Singleton.
Why? Well, for multiple reasons.
Singleton entered the 2025 college football season widely viewed as one of the best backfield talents in the country. He certainly could have entered the NFL Draft last year, but he opted to return to Penn State for another season.
That proved to be a major mistake, as Singleton rushed for just 549 yards on the campaign. Yes, he punched in 13 touchdowns, but he averaged a pedestrian 4.5 yards per carry. That followed a 2024 season in which he racked up 1,099 yards and 12 scores on 6.4 yards per attempt.
Singleton actually lost out to Kaytron Allen in touches this past year, which was certainly not a good sign for the 22-year-old.
Then, in a disastrous incident at the Senior Bowl, Singleton suffered a broken ankle, halting his chances to build his draft stock at the Scouting Combine.
Nicholas Singleton. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.Singleton would have had a chance to be a Day 2 pick with a strong showing in Indianapolis, but now, it seems like the Shillington, Pa. native is bound to be selected on Day 3 this April.
Allen may actually have more of a chance of being a higher draft choice. Not only did he rattle off 1,303 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per tote in 2025, but he is fully healthy and will get the opportunity to boost his standing this week.
Had Singleton entered the draft last spring, he may very well have been a Day 2 selection. But much like quarterback Drew Allar, he wanted to run it back in Happy Valley for one more season, hoping to compete for a national championship.
Instead, the Nittany Lions finished just 7-6 on the year, with Allar suffering a season-ending ankle injury after six games.
We'll see where Singleton ends up going in a couple of months, but at this point, it would not even be shocking if the Penn State product goes undrafted altogether.
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