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.<\/p>\n
#13 KAYTRON ALLEN\/RB, PENN STATE (SENIOR) \u2013 5-11, 220
\nMeasurements<\/p>\n
Player
\nHt\/Wt
\nHand Size
\nArm Length
\nWingspan<\/p>\n
Kaytron Allen
\n5-11\/220
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
40-Yard Dash
\n10-Yard Dash
\nShort Shuttle
\n3-Cone<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
Broad Jump
\nVertical
\nBench Press<\/p>\n
N\/A
\nN\/A
\nN\/A<\/p>\n
THE GOOD<\/p>\n
\u2013 Great vision
\u2013 Sets up blocks with patience
\u2013 Good short-area quickness
\u2013 Quick change of direction
\u2013 Bounces outside and wins
\u2013 Good play strength
\u2013 Runs with good technique
\u2013 Breaks tackles with contact balance
\u2013 Bounces off tackles from weaker defenders
\u2013 Fights for extra yards
\u2013 Does not get knocked back
\u2013 Can run in any scheme and be successful
\u2013 Impressive pass protection
\u2013 Blocks with low pad level and great technique
\u2013 Scans offensive line and leaves assignment to pick up free blitzer<\/p>\n
THE BAD<\/p>\n
\u2013 Just decent athletic ability
\u2013 Will lack explosive play ability
\u2013 Average long speed
\u2013 Struggles to break tackles near line of scrimmage
\u2013 Struggles to turn negative plays into successful runs due to limited athletic ability
\u2013 Average receiving ability<\/p>\n
STATS<\/p>\n
\u2013 Split backfield with Nick Singleton throughout all 4 years at Penn State. Technically started 22 games, but appeared in 54 games in his career
\u2013 2025: 210 rushes, 1303 yards (6.2 YPC), 15 touchdowns. Had 18 receptions for 68 yards
\u2013 Career: 769 rushes, 4180 yards (5.4 YPC), 39 touchdowns. Had 70 receptions for 490 yards and 4 touchdowns
\u2013 Had a 67.1 pass block grade in 2025 (PFF)<\/p>\n
INJURY HISTORY<\/p>\n
\u2013 2025: Missed Pinstripe Bowl with unspecified injury<\/p>\n
BACKGROUND<\/p>\n
\u2013 Named a 2025 Second Team All-American
\u2013 Received 2025 First Team All-Big Ten honors
\u2013 Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention after his 2024 season
\u2013 2023 Second Team All-Big Ten and named Penn State\u2019s Offensive MVP along with teammate Nick Singleton
\u2013 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\u2019s Offensive MVP alongside Nick Singleton
\u2013 Four-star prospect out of IMG Academy, where he spent three seasons
\u2013 Ranked the No. 11 running back in the country
\u2013 Transferred from Norview High School in Virginia after his freshman year
\u2013 Also lettered in basketball as a freshman at Norview
\u2013 His mother nicknamed him \u201cfat man.\u201d<\/p>\n
TAPE BREAKDOWN<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A great and underrated part of Allen\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
CONCLUSION<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n