The Penn State Nittany Lions have many young stars on their team. Some of these bright future players have started many games this season, while some will have to wait for next year to be a star. After a dominating win against the Indiana Hoosiers, 45-14, I list five Nittany Lions who will be bright future players for Penn State.
Bright Future Players: Kaytron Allen
Freshman running back Kaytron Allen has done a great job for the Nittany Lions this season. Allen is a player who continuously strives for extra yardage. The running back is one of many bright future players with this team, and he is already making a difference.
After only getting two starts this season, Allen totals 558 rushing yards from 108 carries and eight touchdowns, according to ESPN. Of the five rushing touchdowns, three came from Penn State’s most recent game against the Indiana Hoosiers. Allen averages 5.2 yards per carry, which is very helpful for a team who relies on the run game.
Allen can also catch passes, totaling 137 yards from 11 receptions, and one touchdown. Allen’s longest reception was against Indiana, where it was a short pass, but he managed to extend the play by running around multiple defenders. The play ended up going for 45 yards, putting the team at great field position. Allen being able to see the field for the openings is huge for the Nittany Lions and why he is one of the bright future players for this team.
Bright Future Players: Drew Allar
Freshman quarterback Drew Allar has yet to start a game this season, and it is not looking like he will. Despite this, it will be Allar’s turn to start for the Nittany Lions next season. Fans have been calling for the young quarterback to start all year, but luckily he has gotten playing time in multiple games. Based on how things have gone this season, the odds are that senior quarterback Sean Clifford will remain the starter. Allar was a five-star recruit heading into Penn State and could be the quarterback this team has been waiting for, and one of many bright future players.
Allar has played in seven games this season. One of the games he played in was against Purdue where he only got about four attempts. According to ESPN, Allar has completed 27 passes out of 43 attempts for 284 yards. He also has four passing touchdowns, two being against the Indiana Hoosiers.
While there is not a lot to discuss about Allar, he does have zero turnovers and is expected to be great for Penn State. If he can live up to the high expectations, Allar is one of Penn State’s bright future players. From what has been seen, it looks like he will be a great addition to this Nittany Lions offense.
Bright Future Players: Nicholas Singleton
Freshman running back Nicholas Singleton has done a great job this season. Between him and Allen, the run game for the Nittany Lions has been scary for opposing teams. Splitting reps with Allen, it will be difficult to prevent Penn State from running down the field. As a true freshman, Singleton is one of many bright future players for this team.
Singleton was the player to get the majority of starts this season. Luckily for the running back, no matter who starts, both he and Allen will get many touches each game. According to ESPN, Singleton has had 112 rushing attempts for 679 yards. He also has eight rushing touchdowns this season, one being against Indiana. Singleton’s longest run was for 70 yards against the Ohio Bobcats. The run game for the Nittany Lions can be dangerous for opponents for years to come between Singleton and Allen. The running back is one of the Nittany Lion’s bright future players who will only get better moving forward.
Bright Future Players: Parker Washington
Although he is not a freshman, wide receiver Parker Washington has done an outstanding job on the Nittany Lions’ offense this season. The sophomore is a player that can be relied on to do whatever he can to make a play. Between breaking tackles and making big catches, Washington is one of Penn State’s bright future players.
Washington has been a huge difference-maker on the offense by the way he can turn his body to make difficult catches. According to ESPN, Washington totals 597 yards from 45 receptions. The only part of Washington’s game that is lacking is touchdowns. Washington only has only two this season, but the way he has been playing, the odds are high that there will be more to come. A large reason for the lack of touchdowns is because of the run game by Penn State. He may not be a freshman, but will only continue to get better moving forward with the Nittany Lions.
Bright Future Players: Abdul Carter
Freshman linebacker, Abdul Carter has been a huge part of the Nittany Lions defense. Despite some high scores by opponents such as Michigan and Ohio State, the Penn State defense has done a very strong job at stopping their opponents. With Penn State producing great linebackers, Carter is one of Penn State’s bright future players.
This season, Carter totals 37 total tackles 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, according to ESPN. Carter also totals three pass deflections. Ahead of the game against Indiana, Penn State was ranked 57 by the NCAA for their rushing defense. After the game against Indiana, their ranking could possibly be even better. The Hoosiers were only able to rush for 65 yards and one touchdown according to ESPN. A large part of this defense is thanks to Carter who is one of Penn State’s bright future players.
Although Penn State has two losses this season, their future seems bright with a young team. Having only a few games left of the season, be sure to pay closer attention to these bright future players. Penn State will next face Maryland at home.
For more NFL and NCAA content:
Check out my Penn State article on the stadiums’ safety regulations. Check out my top five super bowl contenders after eight weeks. Also, check out my top five NFL teams to tank for the rest of the season.
