With a loaded roster and sky-high expectations heading into the 2025 season, Penn State football isn’t just eyeing a Big Ten title or College Football Playoff run — several Nittany Lions are also on the verge of etching their names into the program’s record books.
From backfield standouts Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to veteran quarterback Drew Allar and punter Riley Thompson, this year’s squad features multiple players within striking distance of some of the most prestigious records in school history. As kickoff approaches, here’s a breakdown of the marks that could fall this season, and the players poised to make history.
Career rushing yards
Evan Royster holds the record for career rushing yards, accumulating 3,932 from 2007-2010. Both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have a realistic shot of eclipsing that mark, sitting at 2,912 and 2,877, respectively. If Singleton (1,099) and Allen (1,108) can duplicate their yardage from last season, they’ll sit at No. 1 and 2 in the record books, an impressive feat considering their split workload.
Career rushing touchdowns
Singleton could knock off another record this season — Saquon Barkley holds the record for career rushing touchdowns at 43, compiled in just three seasons from 2015-17. Singleton has 32 to his name, needing just 12 more — a number he’s hit twice — to claim the title.
Career rushing attempts
A stat showcasing consistency and durability, Allen is on pace to break Penn State’s career rushing attempt record. Royster sits atop the podium with 686 attempts, but Allen is at 559. He needs just 127 more touches, a number he’s eclipsed easily in each of the last three seasons. Singleton sits farther back at 499, and would need a career high in attempts to achieve this mark.
Career receptions by a running back
Singleton has improved substantially as a pass-catcher in recent seasons, recording 41 receptions last year. Though he fell short of Barkley’s single-season record of 54, he could surpass Barkley’s career record of 102. Singleton is currently at 78, and another season like last year would put him comfortably in the top spot.
Career all-purpose yards
Singleton doesn’t just get it done on the ground — he’s also racked up 768 receiving yards and 993 kick return yards, giving him the fourth most all-purpose yards in program history. He needs just 865 more yards to surpass Barkley. Barring major injury, this is virtually guaranteed.
Season passing yards
Though the Nittany Lions are expected to be a run-first offense in 2025, Drew Allar could take the crown for most passing yards in a season, currently held by Trace McSorley with 3,614 in 2016. Allar has shown steady improvement each year in Happy Valley and racked up 3,327 yards last season, the third best season in program history. Another step forward could result in a program record.
Career completion percentage
Instead of chasing this record, Allar will just have to retain it. The quarterback currently ranks first in program history in competition percentage at 62.9%. He just needs to remain above 61.4%, which belongs to Sean Clifford. Another season of accurate passing would keep Allar atop the record books.
Season completion percentage
Allar came dangerously close to surpassing Kerry Collins’ 66.7% completion rate from the 1994 season, mustering 66.5% last season, tied for second in program history. Allar was on pace to break the mark before his percentage dipped throughout the Nittany Lions’ College Football Playoff run. However, he’s proven he can complete passes at a high rate and now has arguably his best receiving corps since arriving at Penn State, setting the stage for a potential record.
Career interception percentage
Allar already holds the record for lowest interception rate in one season, sitting at just 0.51% in 2023, less than half of the next best season by a Nittany Lion. He’s also eyeing the career record, currently sitting in first place by a wide margin at 1.19%. He just needs to remain below Wally Richardson’s 2.02%, set in 1992 and 1994-96 to finalize it.
Wins
Allar has led Penn State to a 23-6 record since taking over as a starter in 2023. That puts him just 10 wins away from surpassing Sean Clifford for the most career wins in program history. With the Nittany Lions favored in 11 of 12 games per FanDuel odds, plus potential postseason victories, that number is within reach.
Career punting average
Riley Thompson has a chance to knock off Jordan Stout’s punting record, trailing him slightly entering 2025. Stout averaged 44.54 yards per punt from 2019-2021, while Thompson sits at 44.29 through two seasons. A slight improvement in his final season would give Thompson the nod.
