How the Penn State RBs break down

To say Penn State’s operating recreation in 2021 was a disappointment can be a large understatement. An offense with three Doak Walker Award watch checklist gamers ended the season with none participant on the roster accumulating 100 dashing yards in a single recreation. Who would have thought that might be doable?

The struggles of the operating recreation might be primarily based on the struggles of the offensive line and playcalling, and maybe just a few different causes. However heading into the 2022 season, there might be no room for excuses. The place might be within the highlight with not so unreasonable expectations that issues will enhance. And as soon as once more, the make-up of the operating again place might be an intriguing one for the Nittany Lions.

Here’s a have a look at the state of the operating again place in Completely happy Valley heading into the 2022 season, beginning with the main rusher coming again for an additional season.

Keyvone Lee the chief of the pack

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Keyvone Lee confirmed some glimpses of fine issues to come back as a freshman in 2021, and he emerged to be Penn State’s main rusher in what was clearly a tough yr for the dashing offense. Lee led the Nittany Lions with 530 yards whereas averaging 4.91 yards per try on 108 makes an attempt. Lee managed to attain simply two dashing touchdowns, however he’ll enter the spring apply season because the main candidate to be the highest operating again on the depth chart within the fall.

If there’s one downside to Lee’s recreation that has been evident at instances, it might be a reluctance to assault the road with a burst of velocity. There have been some instances when Lee could also be ready a bit too lengthy for room to run, and earlier than too lengthy he can be swallowed up for a loss or minimal achieve. That may be coachable and must be addressed within the offseason. Lee can do some harm if he takes off with extra authority at instances as an alternative of attempting to be too affected person, which sounds bizarre to say as somebody who respects being affected person and ready for a play to develop. However on this case, it might serve Lee nicely to appreciate faster when a play is a misplaced trigger.

However Lee ought to begin the 2022 season as the highest operating again on the depth chart.

Say goodbye to Noah Cain

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After a troublesome 2021 season, Noah Cain determined to enter the NCAA switch portal and discover his choices. And shortly after he did, Cain decided to maneuver on from Penn State and be a part of LSU. Cain can have speedy eligibility with the Tigers and will find yourself being an incredible pickup for brand new LSU head coach Brian Kelly. All in all, this might find yourself being an incredible transfer for Cain, though LSU’s operating recreation wasn’t a lot better than Penn State’s in 2021.

Cain battled harm issues throughout his time at Penn State, which was unlucky given the ceiling he was anticipated to have. Cain rushed for 443 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman, together with back-to-back 100-yard video games towards Purdue and Iowa after which 92 dashing yards and two touchdowns in a Cotton Bowl victory over Memphis, an ideal complement to Journey Brown on the time.

Cain’s 2020 season ended simply because it bought began with what turned out to be a season-ending harm after simply three dashing makes an attempt within the season opener at Indiana. After scoring a landing in every of Penn State’s first three video games of the 2021 season, together with one towards Auburn, Cain scored only one extra landing the remainder of the season.

Say good day to Nicholas Singleton

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Penn State’s Class of 2022 was loaded with potential stars for the subsequent few years. Amongst them was one of many high recruits ever signed by James Franklin with operating again Nicholas Singleton. The in-state product overpowered opponents on the highschool area and he was named the Gatorade Nationwide Soccer Participant of the 12 months. This can be a huge addition to the Penn State roster and the expectations might be extremely excessive for Singleton in Completely happy Valley.

The query might be simply how quickly Penn State makes him the point of interest of the offense, if not simply the operating recreation. Even when Lee is the highest again on the depth chart, it shouldn’t be taking lengthy earlier than Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and head coach James Franklin discover methods to get Singleton concerned.

It might be very doable Singleton will finish the 2022 season as Penn State’s main rusher, nevertheless it will not be one thing that occurs instantly.

The place does Devyn Ford slot in?

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To not be completely forgotten within the operating again combine is Devyn Ford. Ford took a backseat within the operating again image in 2021 with Cain, Lee, and Baylor switch John Lovett main the dashing assault, with a wholesome dose of quarterback Sean Clifford getting concerned as nicely.

Ford appeared in 9 video games for Penn State in 2021 with simply 14 dashing makes an attempt for 61 yards. With the departures of Cain and Lovett, Ford may see an elevated position within the offense in 2022 earlier than Singleton is deemed prepared to steer the cost.

Ford nonetheless has some good talent and potential to work with, and he clearly has had room to enhance. However getting into his third season, Ford might be on the verge of creating a push for extra of a task within the offense. Lee ought to nonetheless be thought-about the highest again, and Singleton is the again of the long run, however there may nonetheless be a task for Ford if he reveals some enchancment within the spring.

Different names to know

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Penn State may have some strong depth on the operating again place in 2022. Along with Lee, Singleton, and Ford, Penn State may discover some methods to get the ball within the palms of Caziah Holmes, who enters his junior season. Holmes solely appeared in three video games final season, however he bought into 9 video games throughout the nine-game 2020 season (51 dashing makes an attempt for 227 yards and two touchdowns). Holmes might be a participant to regulate within the spring.

However the Class of 2022 isn’t simply Singleton on the operating again place. Penn State additionally welcomes Kaytron Allen, a four-star recruit from IMG Academy. Penn State’s operating again future would look extremely brilliant with Allen alone, even when the Nittany Lions didn’t land the dedication of Singleton. Allen greater than has the flexibility to create an affect on the operating recreation plans for the offense within the years to come back. How a lot of Allen we are going to see in 2022 stays to be seen contemplating the choices elsewhere on the roster. However the potential of a number of years with Singleton and Allen ought to give Penn State followers purpose to be excited in regards to the prospects.