Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) runs the ball against the Mississippi Rebels in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nicholas Singleton RB Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Nicholas Singleton RB Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 01/06/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 20.11 DOB: 01/06/2004 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.5 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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85% |
| Break Tackles: |
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76% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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80% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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49% |
| Run Blocking: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#98
Position rank:
#9
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| College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1261 | ||
ESPN RATING: 86/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rachaad White - Arizona State |
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75% |
| Ty Chandler - North Carolina |
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73% |
| Breece Hall - Iowa State |
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72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A dynamic playmaker out of Shillington, Pennsylvania, Nicholas Singleton burst onto the scene as a five-star recruit for the Nittany Lions. The 6'0", 228-pound back quickly made his mark, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2022. Singleton's high school career was nothing short of spectacular, amassing 6,326 rushing yards and 116 touchdowns at Governor Mifflin High.Singleton's collegiate debut was equally impressive. As a freshman, he led Penn State with 941 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. His explosiveness was on full display with a 100-yard kickoff return against Rutgers, earning him Second-team All-Big Ten honors as a returner. Singleton's sophomore campaign saw him rush for 752 yards and 8 touchdowns, while expanding his role in the passing game with 26 receptions for 308 yards.
The Gatorade National Player of the Year in high school, Singleton has continued to build on his pedigree at Penn State. With 1,813 career rushing yards, he already ranks 20th in school history. His combination of power and speed has drawn comparisons to former Nittany Lion greats, positioning him as a potential impact player at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Super athletic - Made Bruce Feldman's 2023 Freak's List at #31. He Wrote: "At 228 pounds, Singleton ran a 4.39 40 this offseason and also had a 4.18 shuttle; a 10-0 broad but also power-cleaned 385 pounds and bench-pressed 425 bench."
- Exceptional burst through the hole, consistently catching linebackers off guard with his acceleration
- Demonstrates patience behind the line, allowing blocks to develop before exploding through gaps
- Possesses the vision to identify cutback lanes and the agility to exploit them quickly
- Runs with a low center of gravity, maintaining balance through contact and falling forward for extra yards
- Shows potential as a receiver out of the backfield, with soft hands and the ability to turn upfield quickly
- Excels in pass protection, displaying good technique and willingness to take on blitzers
- Versatile runner effective in both zone and gap schemes, adapting well to different blocking concepts
- Has a nose for the end zone, consistently finding ways to punch it in near the goal line
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can improve lateral agility in the open field to make defenders miss more consistently
- Sometimes overly patient, missing opportunities to hit holes decisively
- Route tree as a receiver is limited, needs development to become a true three-down back
- Occasional lapses in pad level when initiating contact, leaving him vulnerable to big hits
- Must prove durability over a full season as a featured back at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
Singleton projects as a potential three-down back in the NFL, with the skill set to contribute immediately in a committee role. His blend of vision, power, and burst make him an ideal fit for zone-blocking schemes, where he can use his one-cut ability to exploit defensive vulnerabilities. While he's shown flashes as a receiver, continued development in this area could elevate him to a true every-down threat.In the right system, Singleton has the tools to become a feature back. His pass protection skills and improving receiving ability make him a candidate for third-down work early in his career. As he refines his game, particularly in making defenders miss in the open field, Singleton could develop into a cornerstone piece for an NFL offense.
With his combination of college production, physical tools, and room for growth, Nicholas Singleton presents an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their backfield.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Nicholas Singleton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
85.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
8.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.