Nicholas Singleton wins Big Ten Freshman of the Year
Penn State had one of the best 2022 recruiting classes in the nation, and on Wednesday afternoon, one received conference recognition for his elite play.
Nicholas Singleton captured the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and he was the first Penn Stater to do so since Christian Hackenberg in 2013.
Singleton came to Happy Valley with massive expectations as the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year.
The Shillington, Pennsylvania, native lived up to those expectations and then some, rushing for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 11 catches for 85 yards and one touchdown through the air.
Singleton burst onto the scene in his home debut as he ran for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Ohio, which set the record for yards in a Beaver Stadium debut.
His 70-yard touchdown run was Penn State’s longest run since an 85-yard run by Journey Brown against Pittsburgh in 2019.
He followed up his 179-yard performance the next week by rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn.
Singleton finished the year with four multi-touchdown games and three games reaching the century mark in rushing yards.
He also set the program record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman with 10, breaking Noah Cain’s record of nine.
This is the second Big Ten honor Singleton has received, as on Tuesday, he was named to the All-Big Ten second team as a kick returner by the media.
Alex Rocco is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email alex.rocco1702@gmail.com.
