Stan Drayton on coaching Penn State’s star runners and ‘identifying their weaknesses’
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UNIVERSITY PARK — Stan Drayton, Penn State’s new running backs coach, has worked with some serious talent during his 32 years as a coach.
Drayton helped mold Brian Westbrook at Villanova, Zeke Elliott at Ohio State and Bijan Robinson at Texas. At the pro level, Drayton worked with Chicago’s Matt Forte and Jordan Howard.
What will Drayton’s approach be with Penn State’s returning 1,000-yard rushers Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton?
“The one thing I try to pride myself on is identifying their weaknesses and addressing those weaknesses early on in their development, while we’re together,” Drayton said Monday during his introductory news conference inside Pegula Ice Arena. “Figuring that out right now is going to take a little bit of time.
Drayton replaced Ja’Juan Seider after Seider left to coach the Notre Dame running backs after PSU’s 13-3 season.
“Just seeing the big picture as a running back is critical for their success,” Drayton said, “being able to anticipate situations, as opposed to react to situations, is what’s going to keep them playing the game for a long time and also keep them healthy.”
Allen and Singleton have done very little wrong since arriving in State College before the 2022 season.
Both backs made an immediate impact. Singleton has posted two 1,000-yard seasons, and Allen led the Lions in rushing last season with 1,108 yards. He scored eight rushing touchdowns.
Singleton ran for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, and the former Governor Mifflin star added 41 receptions for 375 yards and five more scores.
“They all have weaknesses, right?” Drayton said, referring to college running backs. “And we’re going to address those weaknesses early and often.”
What did Penn State coach James Franklin tell Drayton about Allen and Singleton?
“They love the game,” Drayton said. “(Allen and Singleton) want to expand their roles in the Penn State offense, expand their roles as individuals.
“They have goals, right? They came back to Penn State for a reason, to elevate their status for the next level, as well.
“This is something that I’ve done … over a 32-year experience as a coach, where I’ve taken guys — no matter where they are in their development — and I’ve taken them to where they want to go.”
Drayton added of Allen and Singleton: “They’re right up along the same talent level as anybody I’ve coached, to this point. I know they love the game, and that’s kinda like my deal.
“If you love the game, I gotcha, and I can really make you do a whole lot of things because the game requires so much, and if you’re serious about loving the game, then we’re going to be a perfect marriage.”