Kaytron Allen Scouting Report: Penn State RB | 2026 NFL Draft Prospect

Jun 18
7 min read

Name: Kaytron Allen

Position: Running Back

School: Penn State University

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 224 lbs

Class: Senior (2025 season)

Hometown: Norfolk, VA

High School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)

Recruiting Rank: 4-star recruit, #12 RB nationally, #25 in Florida (2022, 247Sports)

Draft Range Summary

Projections for the 2026 NFL Draft place Allen as a late third-round to early fourth-round prospect, reflecting his physical running style and postseason surge, though his draft stock trails teammate Nicholas Singleton due to lower explosiveness and shared carries.

• PFF: 3rd round, No. 80 overall, RB6 (May 2025)

• Pro Football Network: 4th round, RB7 (May 2025)

• NFL.com: 4th round, RB8 (Jan 2025)

• ESPN: 3rd round, No. 90 overall, RB6 (May 2025)

• CBS Sports: 3rd round, RB5 (May 2025)

• The 33rd Team: 4th round, RB9 (Mar 2025)

Combine Data/Unofficial Times: No official NFL Combine data available (as of June 18, 2025). Per NFL Draft Buzz, Allen’s estimated 40-yard dash is 4.52 seconds, with a 600-pound squat and 20.1 mph GPS speed. High school stats at IMG Academy include 1,400 yards and 27 TDs as a senior (2021), per 247Sports.

Career Background

Kaytron Allen, a four-star recruit from IMG Academy, emerged as a top prep talent after rushing for 1,465 yards as a freshman at Norview High School (VA). At IMG, he amassed over 3,000 rushing yards, earning offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas before committing to Penn State. As a true freshman in 2022, Allen rushed for 867 yards and 10 TDs, forming a historic duo with Nicholas Singleton as the first Big Ten freshman teammates to each surpass 700 rushing yards. His sophomore year yielded 902 yards (5.2 YPC), and in 2024, he led Penn State with 1,101 yards, becoming the first Nittany Lion duo with Singleton to both eclipse 1,000 yards in a season.

Allen announced his return for 2025, aiming to chase Penn State’s career rushing record (Evan Royster, 3,932 yards) and a National Championship under coach James Franklin. With new running backs coach Stan Drayton and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s scheme, Allen is set to capitalize on a veteran offensive line and quarterback Drew Allar’s return.

Career Stats (Through 2024 Season, PFF Data)

• 2022 (True Freshman, Penn State): 167 carries, 867 yards (5.2 YPC), 10 TDs; 20 receptions, 188 yards, 1 TD; 46 missed tackles forced (PFF 2022)

• 2023 (Sophomore, Penn State): 172 carries, 902 yards (5.2 YPC), 6 TDs; 14 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD; 37 missed tackles forced (PFF 2023)

• 2024 (Junior, Penn State): 219 carries, 1,101 yards (5.0 YPC), 8 TDs; 18 receptions, 153 yards, 2 TDs; 47 missed tackles forced (PFF 2024)

• Career Totals (3 Seasons): 558 carries, 2,870 yards (5.1 YPC), 24 TDs; 52 receptions, 422 yards, 4 TDs; 130 missed tackles forced

Advanced Stats (2024, PFF 2024):

• PFF Rushing Grade: 81.8 (top-25 FBS)

• PFF Receiving Grade: 80.2 (top-15 RB)

• Yards After Contact: 710 (64.5% of total, top-15 FBS)

• Forced Missed Tackles: 47 (top-20 FBS)

• Forced Missed Tackles per Attempt: 0.215 (47 missed tackles / 219 carries), ranked 26th among FBS RBs with 100+ carries

• Breakaway Run %: 5.9% (13 runs of 15+ yards, top-20 RB)

• Fumble Rate: 0.5% (1 fumble, 219 carries), below median (~1.0%)

• Pass-Block Grade: 82.4 (top-3 RB)

• Drop Rate: 8.0% (2 drops, 25 targets), above median (~5.0%)

Awards and Accolades

• High School:

• First-team All-USA Today Florida (2021)

• IMG Academy Offensive MVP (2021)

• College:

• Second-team All-Big Ten (Coaches, 2024); Third-team (Media, 2024)

• Penn State Offensive MVP (shared with Singleton, 2024)

• Big Ten Freshman of the Week (2x, 2022)

• College Football News Freshman All-American (2022)

• Doak Walker Award Watch List (2024)

Character and Leadership

Allen’s path from Norfolk to IMG Academy and Penn State showcases resilience and adaptability. A leader in Penn State’s “LawnBoyz” backfield, he earned praise from former coach Ja’Juan Seider for his unselfish play, splitting carries with Singleton without complaint. His 2025 return reflects a team-first mentality and desire to pursue a championship, per his X post: “I have learned so much about football and life from this elite organization.” No off-field issues reported, with X posts noting his community engagement in Norfolk. His durability (42 games played) and healthy 2025 offseason enhance his NFL outlook.

Injuries

Allen played all 16 games in 2024, with no major injuries reported, per gopsusports.com. Previous offseasons included minor injuries limiting development, per James Franklin, but 2025 marks his first fully healthy offseason, critical for refining his game. His 5’11”, 224-pound frame and 600-pound squat suggest durability, though a 0.5% fumble rate (1 fumble in 2024) is a minor concern.

Play Style

Allen is a physical, patient three-down back who combines power (600-pound squat) and vision, thriving in Penn State’s gap-heavy scheme. His contact balance (710 yards after contact in 2024) and downhill style (5.0 YPC) wear down defenses, as seen in a 134-yard Fiesta Bowl performance vs. Boise State. His 18 receptions and elite pass-blocking (82.4 PFF grade) highlight versatility, while kick-return experience adds value.

Allen’s 20.1 mph GPS speed delivers solid breakaway runs (5.9% rate), but his 4.52 40 and 0.215 FMTPA (26th in 2024) reflect average elusiveness compared to Singleton (0.190, 36th). His patient approach can lead to hesitation, stalling runs against fast defenses (2.5 YPC in final three regular-season games). A postseason surge (410 yards, 7.8 YPC) shows growth, but lateral agility and top-end speed limit his ceiling.

Strengths

1. Physicality: 710 yards after contact, 47 forced missed tackles (0.215 FMTPA).

2. Pass Protection: 82.4 PFF grade, top-3 among RBs.

3. Durability: 558 carries across 42 games, no major injuries.

4. Versatility: 52 receptions, 422 yards; kick-return experience.

5. Postseason Clutch: 410 yards, 7.8 YPC in four playoff games.

Weaknesses

1. Elusiveness: 0.215 FMTPA (26th in 2024), trails elite backs.

2. Speed: 4.52 40, 20.1 mph GPS limits breakaway threat.

3. Vision Inconsistency: Hesitation led to 2.5 YPC in late regular season.

4. Route Running: Basic checkdowns/swing routes, needs refinement.

5. Shared Carries: Platoon with Singleton caps volume (219 carries).

Limitations

Allen’s moderate speed (4.52 40) and elusiveness (0.215 FMTPA) limit his fit in outside zone or spread schemes, favoring gap-heavy systems. His 0.5% fumble rate is low but a concern against NFL defenders. With 558 career carries, his durability is a plus, but splitting time with Singleton reduces his resume compared to workhorse backs. His late-season struggles (64 yards over final three regular-season games) raise questions about consistency against top defenses. A 2025 breakout is vital to elevate his Day 3 projection, especially in big games.

College Scheme Experience

Allen has operated in Penn State’s hybrid spread offense, evolving under offensive coordinators Mike Yurcich (2022–2023) and Andy Kotelnicki (2024–present), which balances run-heavy gap concepts (64% of runs, 56% 11 personnel, 50% run rate) with play-action (22% of dropbacks) and moderate tempo (1.9 plays/minute), per PFF 2024. The scheme maximizes Allen’s physicality (710 yards after contact) and patience in duo and power runs, as seen in a 124-yard, 8.9 YPC performance vs. Oregon in the Big Ten Championship, exploiting pulling linemen. Kotelnicki’s use of motion (42% of snaps) and RPOs (10% of plays) creates space for Allen’s downhill style (5.0 YPC), while his 18 receptions in 2024 (14% of RB targets) reflect increased checkdowns and swing routes, enhancing his pass-blocking value (82.4 PFF grade).

Under Yurcich, the offense leaned heavily on gap runs (68% of carries), suiting Allen’s punishing style (5.2 YPC in 2022–2023) but exposing his hesitation in zone schemes (3.6 YPC vs. Ohio State, 2023). Kotelnicki’s 2024 system introduced more pin/pull and inside zone (36% zone runs), boosting Allen’s postseason efficiency (7.8 YPC), though his platoon role with Singleton (219 vs. 174 carries) limits touches. The scheme’s reliance on a strong offensive line (18 sacks allowed in 16 games) aids Allen’s production, but his average lateral agility (0.215 FMTPA) struggles in open-field scenarios. In 2025, Kotelnicki’s system, with Drew Allar and transfers like Devonte Ross, will likely expand Allen’s receiving role, per Black Shoe Diaries.

Player Comparison

Comparison: Carlos Hyde (6’0”, 230 lbs, San Francisco 49ers, 2014–2019). Hyde’s physical, one-cut running style (4.6 YPC in 2014), contact balance (~0.20 FMTPA, estimated), and solid pass-blocking (~78.0 PFF grade) closely mirror Allen’s 5.0 YPC, 0.215 FMTPA (26th in 2024), and elite 82.4 pass-block grade. Both thrive in gap-heavy schemes, leveraging power (Hyde’s ~25 bench reps, Allen’s 600-pound squat) and patience to exploit pulling linemen, as seen in Allen’s 8.9 YPC vs. Oregon (2024) and Hyde’s 5.3 YPC vs. Arizona (2014). Their moderate receiving roles (Hyde’s 27 catches in 2014, Allen’s 18 in 2024) and vision inconsistencies (Hyde’s 3.8 YPC dips, Allen’s 2.5 YPC late 2024) align, with neither displaying elite lateral agility (Hyde’s ~0.20 vs. Allen’s 0.215 FMTPA). Hyde’s slightly heavier frame and NFL experience gave him a higher floor, but Allen’s faster 4.52 40 (vs. Hyde’s 4.66) and postseason surge (7.8 YPC) suggest comparable upside in a similar role.

Off-Field Considerations

Allen’s journey from Norfolk to IMG and Penn State highlights discipline and ambition, per daftondraft.football. His unselfish platoon role and leadership in the “LawnBoyz” backfield, praised by coach Seider, reflect maturity. No off-field issues reported, with X posts lauding his Norfolk community work. Penn State’s 8.0% drop rate (2024) slightly inflated his receiving stats, but Kotelnicki’s 2025 scheme should boost his production.

Draft Outlook and Recommendations

Kaytron Allen’s physicality, pass-blocking, and postseason surge (410 yards, 7.8 YPC) position him as a reliable 2026 NFL Draft prospect with three-down potential. His 2024 performance (1,101 yards) and 2025 return to Penn State offer a chance to refine elusiveness and consistency, critical for a third-round selection. Under Stan Drayton and Andy Kotelnicki, Allen must leverage a healthy offseason and Big Ten matchups to chase Penn State’s rushing record and RB2 status, per ESPN. A 1,200-yard, 10-TD 2025 could push him into the early third round, while regression risks a Day 3 slide.

• Personal Draft Recommendation: 3rd Round (2026). Allen’s durability, pass-blocking, and physical style make him a dependable backup with starter upside, but limited speed and elusiveness (0.215 FMTPA) cap his ceiling. Staying at Penn State is optimal to boost his draft stock in Kotelnicki’s scheme.

Final Evaluation

Kaytron Allen’s punishing style, elite pass-blocking, and postseason explosiveness make him a promising 2026 NFL Draft prospect with a high floor. His 2024 campaign and 2025 return to Penn State provide a platform to address speed and vision, critical for a late 3rd–early 4th round selection. In Penn State’s hybrid spread offense, Allen’s play evokes Le’Veon Bell’s patient, versatile skill set, positioning him as a potential NFL contributor with targeted development.