Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are already stars for Penn State football.

That much was clear last year when Penn State fans watched a pair of true freshmen tear up the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions had one of the best rushing duos in college football, and they weren’t going to let that talent go to waste.

Ja’Juan Seider, Penn State’s running backs coach, is continuing to develop the pair. Both Singleton and Allen want to get more involved in the receiving game, something they’ve demonstrated in practices over recent weeks.

However, Seider is looking for Singleton and Allen to be more than just stars on the field. He wants them to be leaders off the field, too. But, while they’re the most talented backs on Penn State’s roster, Singleton and Allen are just second-year players.

Despite their age, Seider is still looking for the duo to step up in the locker room. Singleton and Allen won’t be playing college football for too long, Seider said. They’ll have to step up sooner, rather than later.

“These guys are only going to be here for probably three years, let’s be honest,” Seider said. “Everybody on the team understands who those two guys are, how they approach things. They’re not gonna say a lot. But when they say something, it has to be meaningful.”

Singleton doesn’t feel like he speaks to his teammates much. He’s more comfortable leading by example in how he practices. How he lifts in the weight room is more important than what he says in the locker room.

“I’ll just do what I’m told, listen to my coaches. You see me in the weight room — I just really just grind when it comes to it and just get extra work in,” Singleton said. “And players see that and they’re trying to just be like that. That’s the expectation.”

Leading by example is the standard for Singleton, but he’s trying to change that. Both he and Allen are trying to be better at being vocal leaders entering their second year. Allen is still leading by example more, but both running backs are making an effort to speak up.

Singleton and Allen’s efforts will be even more important given the timing of their development. Penn State’s players feel that they may be set up for a national championship run this season, an effort that could be driven out of the backfield.

Seider wants to avoid any of the drop-offs that are common in second-year players. Singleton and Allen can’t fall victim to any “sophomore slump,” especially as team leaders.

“We always talk about this sophomore slump, and it’s real. And as a coach, that’s the worst period… But if you watched, the work hasn’t changed,” Seider said.

Seider has confidence in his players’ abilities going forward. Singleton and Allen look prepared for the season ahead, he said. They’ll step up when Penn State needs them to.

“Leadership is not always the loudest guy. It’s the guy that shows up every day and is consistent and makes people around him better. And that’s what those two guys do,” Seider said. “Those kids come every day and prepare like they’re stars, and that’s what you want to see. That is leadership.”