The Rookie RB Nobody is Talking About

Nicholas Singleton is a rookie running back flying under everyone's radar.

At just 20 years old, he racked up 1,474 total yards and 41 catches at Penn State. He broke out as an 18-year-old freshman with 1,100+ total yards on a career-high 6.8 yards per carry.

He leaves Penn State as the all-time leader in TDs (55) and all-purpose yards (5,586).

So why is he being ignored?

His final season in 2025 was a career low. Only 768 yards across 12 games at 4.5 yards per carry. But context matters: Penn State's coach was fired, the starting QB suffered a season-ending injury, and a defensive-minded interim coach took over and leaned on the more traditional Kaytron Allen.

It gets worse. Singleton was expected to run in the 4.3s at the Combine. But he broke his foot weeks before and couldn't test. That tanked his draft stock.

The Titans took him in Round 5. Not ideal draft capital, but the situation is solid. Tony Pollard is 29 years old, Tyjae Spears has a long-term knee issue, and both are in contract years.

There's a real path to second-half volume here. If Pollard and Spears struggle, Singleton could inherit meaningful work down the stretch. And with Brian Daboll calling plays and Cam Ward entering year two, the offense should be improved.

He's an early breakout athletic freak whose 2024 season was elite. The 2025 tape doesn't tell the real story.

In the right backfield, he has the traits to be a late-round league-winner.

– Alex