In case you missed it, Penn State football running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both announced they are returning for the 2025 football season. Singleton recorded 1,099 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while Allen recorded 1,108 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in the 2024 season.

Before one of the nation’s best rushing duos announced their return, James Franklin said on Tuesday, he wasn’t sure he’d get both play-makers back.

“I thought there was a good chance early on that we would get one of them back, very similar to the Tyler [Warren] and Theo [Johnson] situation last year,” he said. “I didn’t really know how it was going to go with either of those guys, but obviously it worked out to be a positive.”

Franklin hinted that Singleton’s plan to return reminded him of offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who returned in the 2023 season to complete his degree. Fashanu spent one extra year with the program before hearing his name called by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“It was a little bit like an Olu situation where getting his degree, finishing what he started, and taking a few more steps was important,” he commented. “I think that was a factor for him.”

For Allen, this is the first real offseason he has had without battling an injury. During the 2024 offseason, Allen was limited in his preparation for the season. Now healthy, he can focus on the season to come.

“With him really having his first offseason where he’s been healthy, I think he’s really excited about what he can do, and I know we’re really excited, too,” Franklin said.

Franklin also commented on both running backs’ progress in splitting time.

“I think they also now are at a point of their career that, I think early on, maybe they struggled splitting time,” he said. “I think now they understand the value of splitting time, and it obviously helps that they both rushed for 1,000 yards.”

On Tuesday, Franklin announced that running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider was no longer with the program as reports swirled around Seider making a lateral move to Notre Dame for the same position. Seider spent six seasons with the Nittany Lions and helped recruit Singleton and Allen to the program. Now, the Nittany Lions are on the hunt to fill another position in the off-season.

Franklin said at this point, Penn State isn’t at a point within the program to hire a running backs coach who doesn’t fit the team and personnel.

“I would make the argument with Nick and Fat and the rest of the room, and what we’ve recruited and who’s committed to us, it’s arguably the most attractive running back job in the country,” he said.

According to freshman running back Quinton Martin, Singleton and Allen are staying focused on the goal ahead despite losing Seider. While they were caught off guard with their coach leaving, both running backs plan to keep their head up ahead of next season.

“I’m happy I get to just learn and achieve my game in every way,” Martin said. “It can be frustrating at times [playing under Singleton and Allen], but at the same time, I’m learning.”

Martin expressed that he and fellow freshman running back Corey Smith reflect on what they can each do better and how to make their game look like Singleton and Allen’s. He mentioned that after every game, the two freshmen go over what they could do to continue improving.

While Franklin and the rest of the program look to fill Seider’s position, the return of the running back duo of Singleton and Allen sets the foundation for another dominant season.