Nick Singleton, a record-setting tailback for Penn State, had a career-low 549 rushing yards last fall.
Then, in January, he broke a bone in his foot while practicing for the Senior Bowl, which required surgery.
However, whatever momentum disruptions Singleton may have encountered in the leadup to the NFL Draft are now in the past, as he was selected in the fifth round (No. 165 overall) by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
Welcome to Nashville, Nick! ???? pic.twitter.com/vkIswXgAgf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 25, 2026
“To get that call, it meant a lot,” Singleton told reporters after the Titans selected him. “I walked outside to talk to the coaches, but once I went back inside, my family was all there and excited. It was s surreal moment. I’m just so blessed.”
Singleton, who formed a one-two punch in the backfield with position mate Kaytron Allen dating back to 2022, is Penn State’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (45), total touchdowns scored (55) and all-purpose yards (5,586).
Singleton’s 3,461 rushing yards rank fifth all-time, while his 622 attempts are eighth.
In 2025, despite his lower total yardage, he still scored a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry while adding 219 receiving yards.
Singleton twice hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark at Penn State, finishing with 1,061 in 2022 as a freshman and 1,099 in 2024. The 2024 campaign saw Singleton and Allen finish as Penn State’s first tailback duo to both eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
He also had 102 career receptions for 987 yards and nine more scores.
In 2022 and 2023, Singleton was named third-team All-Big Ten, earning honorable mention accolades in 2024 and 2025.
Singleton’s versatility as a runner and pass-catcher, as well as his past dynamic in partnering with a running back such as Allen, could influence his usage in the NFL, per draft guru Todd McShay.
“I feel like my game, I’m a really physical back and a speed back, too,” Singleton said. “I’ll go in and it don’t matter what it is — I’ll just go out there. I feel like I’m a complete back, too, being able to run the ball, catch the ball out of the backfield and stick my nose down and block.”
Special teams could also come into play at the next level for Singleton, as he served as a kick returner for four years, taking 48 total returns for an average of 23.7 yards, with one career touchdown.
A Shillington native, Singleton was measured at the NFL Combine at 6-foot and 219 pounds.
Recovery from his foot surgery prevented him from partaking in any drills, such as the 40-yard dash, but at Penn State, he was clocked as fast as 4.35 seconds by staff.
