Note: This is the first in a weekly series previewing different aspects of Penn State’s 2023 season.
It’s the classic magician’s misdirection.
The Great Jimmy Franklini has been setting up his next trick all offseason long and you don’t even realize it.
While we’re all over here feigning concern over the “quarterback competition,” the talk of the centerpieces to last year’s offense has been seemingly non-existent.
OK, while I don’t think James Franklin is changing his career from football coach to magician and certainly hope he’s not changing his name to Jimmy Franklini any time soon, the talk of Penn State’s two-headed running back show has been as absent as that quarter that was just behind your ear a few seconds ago.
But when that attack does reappear, it will be an act that would make any Vegas showman jealous.
For as much as we’ve all been focusing on the fact that Drew Allar will likely be the starting quarterback, the offense’s success in 2023 will be based on a balanced attack from the one-two punch of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, two that could drive an effective offense to new heights.
Honestly, I don’t know which one is better. I listed them that way because, well, alphabetical order. But for the first time in a long time, Penn State has two sure bets at the running back position. Bets that feel even more sure than the Saquon Barkley-Miles Sanders era.
Singleton of course was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, led the team with more than 1,000 yards rushing, and rumor has it still causing Auburn’s grounds crew headaches as they try to repair the grass he tore up at Jordan-Hare.
Singleton, the former Gatorade Player of the Year, may have earned the viral success of his speedy, long runs week after week, including a memorable one in the Rose Bowl, but Allen’s power can’t be underestimated. That power, his best asset, showed up time and time again when Penn State needed to punch it in.
Of Allens 10 touchdowns last season, his longest was from 14 yards, coming against Central Michigan. In fact, his average distance on a touchdown run was just 5.7 yards, compared to Singleton’s 31.8 yard average in his 12 carries to the house.
Whether it’s the Fatman and Robin or Thunder and Lightning nicknames, the yin and yang of a quick back that can burst into open field in Singleton and bowling ball of Allen is a weapon that Mike Yurcich and company can be happy about.
And it doesn’t just relate to production from them. It also gives [redacted QB1 with the last name of Allar] a chance to keep that first year starting pressure off of him. Virtually every conversation and question thrown James Franklin’s way this offseason has been about the Ohio native and when the five-star QB will be named the lead guy for Penn State.
Allar has been the focus of everyone’s attention, even dating back to last season’s faux quarterback controversy. But asking Allar to do everything will be too much until proven otherwise even if he’s going to live up to the hype.
And maybe it’s good thing because it’s kept the pressure of exceeding last year off Allen and Singleton.
Using Singleton and Allen effectively also keeps pressure off of Penn State’s biggest concern, the wide receiver position. It is by far the most glaring hole on the offense. It’s not dinosaur-killing-crater sized but it’s still big enough that a little bit of water could get into the boat.
Yet, Singleton and Allen are helping to patch that hole. They’ve reportedly spent time this offseason improving in the pass catching area and have been vocal about getting involved in the passing game. Considering Singleton’s speed especially, Penn State will provide a pass attack that will keep defenses on their toes.
The biggest difference between 2022 and 2023 for Allen and Singleton won’t just be that they’re now more recognizable on campus. There is now a proven, and healthy (and committed), third string option to keep the weight off of them in Trey Potts, a Minnesota transfer and Williamsport native.
This is someone who knows Big Ten defenses. Over the last two seasons in Minneapolis, he carried the ball more than 200 times, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and notching nine touchdowns. Keeping Potts busy will help keep RB1a and RB1b healthy in what could be a long season.
A season, that if the offense is as good as we think it is, will be better than any Houdini show.
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