From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Penn State RB Kaytron Allen.

#13 KAYTRON ALLEN/RB, PENN STATE (SENIOR) – 5-11, 220
Measurements

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Kaytron Allen
5-11/220
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

THE GOOD

– Great vision
– Sets up blocks with patience
– Good short-area quickness
– Quick change of direction
– Bounces outside and wins
– Good play strength
– Runs with good technique
– Breaks tackles with contact balance
– Bounces off tackles from weaker defenders
– Fights for extra yards
– Does not get knocked back
– Can run in any scheme and be successful
– Impressive pass protection
– Blocks with low pad level and great technique
– Scans offensive line and leaves assignment to pick up free blitzer

THE BAD

– Just decent athletic ability
– Will lack explosive play ability
– Average long speed
– Struggles to break tackles near line of scrimmage
– Struggles to turn negative plays into successful runs due to limited athletic ability
– Average receiving ability

STATS

– Split backfield with Nick Singleton throughout all 4 years at Penn State. Technically started 22 games, but appeared in 54 games in his career
– 2025: 210 rushes, 1303 yards (6.2 YPC), 15 touchdowns. Had 18 receptions for 68 yards
– Career: 769 rushes, 4180 yards (5.4 YPC), 39 touchdowns. Had 70 receptions for 490 yards and 4 touchdowns
– Had a 67.1 pass block grade in 2025 (PFF)

INJURY HISTORY

– 2025: Missed Pinstripe Bowl with unspecified injury

BACKGROUND

– Named a 2025 Second Team All-American
– Received 2025 First Team All-Big Ten honors
– Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after his 2024 season
– 2023 Second Team All-Big Ten and named Penn State’s Offensive MVP along with teammate Nick Singleton
– Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2022 and won Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honors twice. Also named Penn State’s Offensive MVP alongside Nick Singleton
– Four-star prospect out of IMG Academy, where he spent three seasons
– Ranked the No. 11 running back in the country
– Transferred from Norview High School in Virginia after his freshman year
– Also lettered in basketball as a freshman at Norview
– His mother nicknamed him “fat man.”

TAPE BREAKDOWN

Kaytron Allen had a long and successful career at Penn State and was the backbone of a good rushing attack for four years. His best skill is his vision by far, and it will be hard to find another prospect that does it better. He sets up blocks with great patience and bursts through the gap to get to the second level. He is best used in zone because of this, but can consistently win in a gap scheme as well. On this inside zone run, one defender gets out of his gap, and he finds the hole to create an explosive play.

When he reaches the second level, he bounces tackles with sound running technique. Allen runs with good contact balance and fires through weaker defenders, but he has trouble breaking tackles near the line of scrimmage against big defensive tackles. When running between the tackles, he has good awareness of when to bounce outside, as on this touchdown vs. Iowa.

A great and underrated part of Allen’s game is his pass protection, which is imperative for running backs to get playing time as a rookie. He has great awareness, scanning the offensive line to find a free blitzer. He plays his role well, but if the protection is set wrong, he will flip sides to pick up a blitzer.

He hits defenders with perfect pad level and technique, stuffing them and protecting his quarterback. Allen will see playing time as a rookie due to this skill.

While he does all the correct things a running back should do, Allen lacks the great athletic ability that most running backs have. He has solid change of direction but needs a lot of room to work, and his speed is not the best. He will be a consistent, successful runner due to his vision and technique, but he lacks explosive-play ability due to slower long speed. I think his forty time at the combine will be on the lower end, which will hurt his draft stock.

Allen breaks tackles vs defensive backs but struggles to get through bigger defenders. Pairing this with his lack of speed, it will be hard for him to make big runs consistently in the NFL. On this run, he shows off his vision again, but gets tackled by his legs, limiting an explosive play.

CONCLUSION

Kaytron Allen possesses all the tools to be a good running back in the NFL, but his athletic ability will limit how much he plays. He will be a great, consistent runner, but teams will look for more explosive options at times. Even with limited athleticism, I believe he can be good in a split backfield with a speedier option by his side.

NFL Projection: Third Round
Steelers Depot Grade: 7.7 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 7.6-8.1
Games Watched: vs Oregon (2025), at Iowa (2025), at Ohio State (2025), vs Indiana (2025), vs Nebraska (2025)