The Senior Bowl is always a spotlight moment for NFL hopefuls, and this week in Mobile, Alabama, Penn State is showing up in force. Five Nittany Lions are set to compete at Hancock Whitney Stadium, giving NFL coaches, scouts, and executives a closer look at some of Happy Valley’s best - and there's a real buzz building around one name in particular.
Let’s start on defense, where Penn State brings a trio of physical, high-upside players. Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton headlines the group.
He’s got the kind of frame and athleticism that NFL teams drool over, and this week is a chance for him to show how he can hold up against elite competition in one-on-one drills. Alongside him, safety Zakee Wheatley and defensive tackle Zane Durant bring their own skill sets to the table - Wheatley with his instincts and range in the secondary, and Durant with his quickness and leverage on the interior.
This is a huge opportunity for all three to boost their stock ahead of April’s draft.
But the offensive side of the ball is where things could really get interesting - especially in the backfield. Penn State is sending a dynamic duo in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, two backs who’ve been splitting carries and turning heads in the Big Ten since they arrived on campus. And if one respected draft analyst is right, Singleton might just steal the show in Mobile.
ESPN’s Matt Miller tabbed Singleton as his breakout pick among the offensive players at the Senior Bowl, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite a quieter season statistically - 549 rushing yards on 123 carries - Singleton still has the kind of physical tools that can pop in this setting. At 6 feet and 224 pounds, his burst and acceleration make him a nightmare in space, and that combination of size and speed is exactly what NFL teams are looking for in a modern back.
There’s no clear-cut RB2 behind projected top-15 pick Jeremiyah Love, and that opens the door for someone like Singleton to surge up draft boards. Miller believes Singleton could be that guy, and if he puts together a strong week of practices and follows it up with a solid game performance on Saturday, that prediction might not sound so bold by the weekend.
Let’s not forget - this is Penn State’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns. Singleton has already proven he can produce at a high level. Now, he gets a chance to remind everyone of that in front of the NFL’s decision-makers.
With practices running Tuesday through Thursday and the game set for Saturday - all broadcast on NFL Network - this is a pivotal week for these Nittany Lions. Whether it’s Dennis-Sutton setting the edge, Wheatley making plays in the secondary, Durant disrupting the pocket, or Allen and Singleton churning out yards, there’s plenty for scouts to like.
And if Singleton delivers the kind of performance he’s capable of? Don’t be surprised if his name starts climbing mock drafts in a hurry.