2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton is one of the most exciting offensive prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. He shocked the draft industry when he decided to return to the Nittany Lions for the 2025 season in a move that now has him in contention to be the first running back selected next April.
Singleton committed to Penn State after being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. A five-star prospect and the No. 1 running back in the country, Singleton chose the Nittany Lions over other high-powered programs like Alabama, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Florida State (among many others).
Singleton made an immediate impact at Penn State as a freshman, rushing for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns (6.8 yards per carry). He regressed to just 752 yards and eight scores in 2023, but rebounded in 2024 with 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns (6.4 yards per carry). He set career highs as a receiver in 2024 with 41 catches for 375 yards and five touchdowns.
A physical freak, the 6'1, 220-pound Singleton has been named to Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List two years in a row. Check out this nugget Feldman shared via The Athletic:
"The guy who holds the school’s all-time rushing TD mark is Saquon Barkley, who had 43 in three seasons. Barkley, No. 1 on the 2017 Freaks List, ran a 4.33 40, power cleaned 405 pounds and bench pressed 405. Singleton is close to those numbers and better in the bench press, doing 435. He improved his power clean to 395. His 40 is 4.35. His shuttle time is 4.18. His max velocity is 23.5 mph. He broke Barkley’s running back record in the squat last year, doing 665. He did 660 this offseason. Singleton’s broad jump also went up four inches to 10-5."
Singleton is closing in on Penn State's rushing records (he enters the 2025 season No. 5 on the all-time TD list and No. 10 in rushing yards). We'll update his production at the end of the season.
Physically, Singleton is a tank. He has the perfect NFL running back build. He's big and muscular, and he uses his rocked-up frame to his advantage.
Athletically, Singleton should put on a show at the 2026 NFL Combine. He has legitimate track speed and could run a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash. While his straight-line speed is undeniable, he doesn't have the loosest hips, which can cause him to miss quick-closing cutback opportunities.
As an inside runner, Nicholas Singleton runs with the anger and pad level needed to be a banger between the tackles in the pros. At over 220 pounds, he moves with violence and intention. He'll be a tough tackle for even the most seasoned interior defenders.
As an outside runner, Singleton showcased enough speed to win races to the edge, and, if he gets a runway down the sideline, turn out the lights. I'd like to see a bit more patience from him as his blocks develop so he can take advantage of late-breaking running lanes.
Singleton has pass-blocking upside, and while he's a capable receiver out of the backfield, I don't foresee him being a big-time pass-catching weapon on the next level. That said, he has enough receiving chops to stay on the field for all three downs, and his power profile should make him more than capable of being a reliable pass protector too.
Overall, Singleton has first-round ability. He'll enter the NFL with a lot of experience, which, unfortunately, isn't always the best trait for a running back. Singleton is beginning the 2025 season with 499 carries on his resume; he'll likely end his career with over 650. That's a lot of tread off his tires, and it could cause him to slide into the early portion of Day 2.
Regardless, Singleton is a high-level, starting-caliber running back that an NFL offense can build a rushing attack around.
PRESEASON GRADE: 8.01 (early 2nd round)
