Carson Hansen has made his stance clear since arriving at Penn State: he wants to bring a physical edge to the Nittany Lions’ backfield.
During Penn State’s recent media day, the former Iowa State transfer said, “Being a physical running back is something every offense needs,” and that mindset fits the way he plays. The position, as Hansen sees it, is about taking on contact and delivering it, and he’s comfortable living in that space.
What makes that approach interesting is the pair of influences that shaped him. Hansen said, “A couple of guys I looked up to were my dad and Barry Sanders,” adding, “My dad was a huge Barry Sanders fan, so he was kind of my No. 1 guy growing up.
My dad also played running back at North Dakota State, so I watched a lot of his film, too. I’d say those two: my dad and Barry Sanders.”
That blend of family roots and a Hall of Fame model helps explain the mix Hansen brings to the field. He’s not just looking to run through people; he’s trying to combine toughness with burst, and the numbers from last season back that up.
At Iowa State, he ran for 952 yards and six touchdowns, with 565 of those yards coming after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. He also broke off 23 runs of at least 10 yards.
Penn State’s staff has already noticed how much he has grown. In April, head coach Matt Campbell said, “He just got better and better and better,” and added, “I think he’s in the best shape of his life, which is awesome to see. I think he’s really done a great job.”
Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser was even more direct about what Hansen means to a room that is taking on a new look. “He is as trusted as any player I’ve coached,” Mouser said. “He is one of our best leaders and will set the tone for our offense this season.”
That new chapter in the backfield comes after the departures of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. Allen left as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher with 4,180 yards, while Singleton finished as the school’s career leader with 45 rushing touchdowns.
Now Hansen is part of a group that also includes former Ohio State running back James Peoples, along with returning backs Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace. Even with the turnover, Hansen said the room has come together quickly, and he credited running backs coach Savon Huggins for helping set that tone.
“I think we’ve built a great bond,” Hansen said. “We’ve known each other for about six or seven months now, and it’s been a great experience.
We know when it’s time to lock in during meetings, and we know when it’s time to have fun. You have to find that balance between being focused and enjoying being around the guys.
“Coach Huggins has done an amazing job since coming over from Boston College. He learned the playbook really quickly and has done a great job coaching us.
Coach (Sheldon) Croney, our assistant running backs coach, has also been outstanding. He’s been in the system for a while, so he adds a lot during meetings and really helps us understand the offense.”
Hansen also pointed to the work being done up front, naming Brock Riker, Malachi Goodman, Cooper Cousins and Trevor Buhr as players who stood out during spring work.
“We’ve seen a lot of talent. Those guys get great push up front, and we saw that during the spring,” Hansen said.
“A few guys who have really stood out are Brock Riker, Malachi Goodman, Cooper Cousins and Trevor Buhr. They’ve all done a phenomenal job.
They’re dogs up front, and we couldn’t do it without them. I really appreciate those guys.”
For Hansen, though, the message stays simple. The physical identity he wants to bring to Penn State isn’t a side note - it’s the point.
“I’d just say being a physical running back is something every offense needs,” Hansen said. “You have to be able to get downhill and run north and south. That’s what the running back position is all about, and I think it should be that way from Day One.
“That’s what I believe, and I think every college football team is looking for that type of back. It’s something every offense needs, and it’s needed in the NFL, too.”
If his Penn State debut season looks anything like what he showed at Iowa State, the Nittany Lions may have found exactly the kind of tone-setter they need in a backfield that suddenly looks very different. Hansen’s power, vision and explosiveness give Penn State a proven runner, while his leadership and physical style add a clear identity to the room.
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