Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton led the running backs through drills at Tuesday’s practice. It’s as they’ve done for each of the past three seasons. With each rep the hand of a clock ticks toward their departure date from Penn State and entrance into the NFL. Soon enough, another tandem of rushers will be called upon in their absences.
This fall will serve as the unofficial tryout to step into Allen and Singleton’s shoes, if both are to enter the draft this upcoming spring. With preseason camp in the rearview, one player in particular is already beginning to separate himself from the pack. It’s spring-standout Cam Wallace, and he’s anticipated, as well as Quinton Martin and Corey Smith, to play in 2024.
“I would say Cam Wallace right now is probably in the lead, but I think it’s a battle between all three of them,” James Franklin said of his third-string running back spot. “I think both Quinton and Corey will play this year. We’ll see how this whole thing plays out. But I’d say if we were playing tomorrow, Cam Wallace would probably be our third back.”
At 5-foot-9 and 198 pounds, Wallace is a miniature figure compared to the bulky duo of Singleton and Allen, the latter of whom is literally referred to as “Fatman.” Wallace may not have the intangibles to push pash hulking linemen on the line of scrimmage. But there is an aspect of his game that could fit nicely in offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s scheme.
Wallace is a nightmare to stop in the open field. And that’s according to those who’ve tried, like linebacker Tony Rojas.
“He kind of reminds me of Nick. Obviously, not the size, but just his versatility,” Rojas said. “Coach Franklin mentions it a lot with angle tackles to start off the day. Just in one-on-ones, he’s hard to tackle, just for anybody. He’s a problem in space, so I think that’s a big thing for him.”
Wallace did not appear in a game over his true freshman season in 2023. The lack of experience is also there for Martin and Smith, two freshmen who have caught the eye of coaches this offseason.
Martin was one of the team’s top recruits this past cycle and his potential has been obvious since early into his high school career. Smith, on the other hand, has also presented himself as a weapon reliable enough for utilization.
“I think Corey’s worked his way into that discussion. I think Corey has done some really good things,” Franklin said.
Kotelnicki is expected to bring explosiveness to an offense that lacked it last season. That could and should look like an increase in big-yardage pass plays from quarterback Drew Allar. But with an influx of looks downfield comes a greater risk of empty drives. That’s where players like Wallace, Martin and Smith could find their ways into the mix.
“That’s where a lot of hidden explosive plays happen. It’s like getting it to Nick and Fat five yards down the field, and then next thing you know, they’re one-on-one with a Mike linebacker and the first-down marker,” Allar said. “Like, they’re gonna make a miss most of the time, and that’s gonna be at least a 12-yard gain.”
