Nick Singleton stunned the college football world when he bypassed the 2025 NFL Draft to return to Penn State for his senior season.
The standout running back, considered among the top draft-eligible prospects after a dominant junior campaign, made the decision with unfinished business weighing heavily on his mind.
His choice came after a historic 2024 season in which he helped the Nittany Lions achieve 13 wins — the most in program history — and reach their first College Football Playoff appearance.
Why Singleton Isn’t Done With Penn State Yet
Singleton had every reason to declare for the NFL Draft after a standout 2024 season. Viewed as a top-10 running back on multiple draft boards, he helped push Penn State to a program-best 13 wins and its first College Football Playoff appearance.
But after falling short of the national title when Notre Dame defeated Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl semifinal, Singleton knew his time in Happy Valley wasn’t over.
“We’re walking off, they’re celebrating because they’re going to the national championship. We just lost, we’re going home,” Singleton told On3. “It was that moment, seeing everybody walk into the locker room, obviously sad. I couldn’t end my career in college like this. That was a big part in me coming back.”
Nick Singleton was a top-10 RB on NFL draft boards. But he returned to Penn State for a run at a national title.
He tells @On3sports he believes this is the most versatile offense he’s played in
“Everybody isn’t in the box. It’s not just us they have to worry about, it’s the… pic.twitter.com/IS8aMRTECI
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) June 26, 2025
Singleton wasn’t alone in his decision. Quarterback Drew Allar and running back Kaytron Allen also turned down the draft to return for another championship pursuit. The sting of the semifinal loss to Notre Dame still motivates the trio.
Despite Penn State’s rushing attack producing more than 200 yards in the Orange Bowl, the passing game struggled as Allar completed just 12 of 23 passes for 135 yards, forcing the running backs to shoulder much of the offensive burden.
Rather than view the pressure as overwhelming, Singleton embraces the challenge ahead.
“We don’t really look at it like pressure, we embrace it,” he said. “We’re the workhorses – we’re going to get the job done.”
Building a Complete Offense for 2025
To prevent a repeat of last year’s offensive imbalance, head coach James Franklin addressed the wide receiver position through the transfer portal. Three proven pass-catchers — Syracuse’s Trebor Pena, USC’s Kyron Hudson, and Troy’s Devonte Ross — have joined the offense to give Allar more reliable targets and ease the defensive focus on the run game.
The additions have energized Singleton and the entire offense as they prepare for another championship run.
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“I’m excited about it, the whole offense is,” Singleton said. “You can just tell it’s a different mindset this year. The receivers are always getting in extra work with Drew, our tight ends, too. We can run the ball and pass at the same time. It’s really good, it’s going to open up a lot of stuff.”
Singleton’s impressive 2024 campaign — 1,099 rushing yards, 375 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns — positioned him as a potential early-round NFL Draft pick before he chose to return to Penn State for one final shot at a national championship.
