The college football preseason magazines are coming out these days, and Ja’Juan Seider peruses them like many fans do.
Seider, though, is the Penn State running backs coach. He’s surprised that some publications don’t rank former Gov. Mifflin star Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen with the very best backs in the country.
“It’s laughable,” Seider said last week during interviews with reporters. “If you’re really a fan of football and you know ball, Nick and Kaytron deserve to be in every ranking that comes out. Show me another team that has two elite running backs sharing the backfield and still putting up great numbers.”
Penn State junior Kaytron Allen looks to increase his rushing and receiving numbers in the fall. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Singleton and Allen are preparing for their third season with the Nittany Lions. They’ve combined to rush for 3,582 yards and 36 touchdowns, yet Penn State’s running backs are ranked no higher than fourth in the country as a tandem.
“It’s good motivation for them,” Seider said. “They see it. They’re just taking it in.”
With new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki on board to replace the fired Mike Yurcich, even bigger production is expected for the two of them.
Kotelnicki spent the last three seasons as the OC at Kansas, where the Jayhawks finished eighth in the nation in rushing last year and ahead of the Lions the last two seasons.
Lead back Devin Neal carried 203 times last year for 1,280 yards, a 6.3 average and 16 touchdowns in his second straight 1,000-yard season. Daniel Hishaw Jr., his backup, ran for 626 yards.
At Penn State, Singleton’s rushing numbers dipped after his 1,000-yard freshman season in 2022. He ran 171 times for 752 yards, a 4.4 average and eight touchdowns. He shared the load with Allen, who had 172 carries for 902 yards, a 5.2…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-running-backs-coach-034600597.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-06-18 03:46:00
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