Kaytron Allen Eyes NFL Leap After Historic Penn State Career
**MOBILE, Ala. ** - Kaytron Allen’s name is already etched in Penn State history.
Literally. He’s now featured at the top of the iconic Student Book Store steps in downtown State College - a tribute to his record-breaking run as the Nittany Lions’ all-time leading rusher.
But while he hasn’t seen the mural in person just yet, Allen knows exactly what it represents.
“It’s still kind of unbelievable,” Allen said this week at the Senior Bowl. “But it was a goal that I had set. I had to put my mind to it and do something different this year.”
That “something different” turned into a season - and a career - that rewrote the record books. Allen rushed for a program-best 4,180 yards over four years, surpassing Evan Royster’s long-standing mark with a 160-yard performance against Nebraska in November. And he didn’t just break records - he did it with consistency, toughness, and a late-season surge that has NFL scouts paying close attention.
Now, Allen is shifting his focus from college legacy to professional future. He’s in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl, showcasing his skills in front of NFL coaches and decision-makers. After this week’s practices and Saturday’s showcase game, he’ll head to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, then back to State College for Penn State’s pro day in March, followed by a series of team visits in the lead-up to April’s draft.
It’s a whirlwind, but Allen is embracing the grind.
He was one of the standouts during Tuesday’s practice, showing off the traits that made him a star in the Big Ten. His vision popped as he found daylight through tight creases.
His burst was on display as he accelerated away from defenders. And perhaps most notably, he held his own in pass protection - a critical skill for backs trying to earn early-down reps in the NFL.
But the part of his game Allen is most eager to highlight this week? His hands.
He caught just 70 passes across 54 games at Penn State, so there’s still some mystery around his receiving ability. Allen knows that. And he’s using the Senior Bowl to prove he can be more than a between-the-tackles bruiser.
“The biggest thing,” he said, “is showing I can catch the ball.”
So far, he’s doing just that - and more.
Allen enters draft season ranked as ESPN’s No. 3 running back in the 2026 class. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman finalist, is widely viewed as the top back on the board and a likely first-round pick.
But the RB2 spot? That’s still up for grabs.
It’s a deep and intriguing group. Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, and Washington’s Jonah Coleman are all in the mix. But right now, Allen is slotted just behind a very familiar face: Nick Singleton.
Allen and Singleton weren’t just teammates - they were roommates, backfield partners, and iron sharpening iron. The two split carries for four seasons at Penn State, pushing each other every step of the way. Now, they’re on the same Senior Bowl roster, once again sharing a backfield and chasing the same dream.
“That’s my brother,” Allen said. “We’ll always pride ourselves on competing and making each other better, no matter what it is.
And we’re going at it as brothers. There’s no bad blood.
It’s always been a blessing to be beside my brother, and I’m glad.”
The two backs took different paths to the same point - and now, they’re both climbing draft boards as they try to solidify their place among the NFL’s next wave of running backs.
Allen’s stock began to rise late in the 2025 season, when he strung together a dominant six-game stretch: 836 yards on 140 carries, with 15 total touchdowns on the year. He was the engine of Penn State’s offense down the stretch, even as the team fell short of its postseason goals.
That late-season surge has carried over into draft season. Allen looks fresh, focused, and ready to prove he belongs in the upper tier of this year’s running back class.
He’ll have more chances to do that - at the Combine, at his pro day, and in meetings with teams looking for a back who can carry the load and do the little things right.
Whoever drafts Kaytron Allen won’t just be getting a productive college back. They’ll be getting a player who’s built for the next level - physically, mentally, and competitively. A player who’s already made history and is hungry to make more.