College football’s elite running back rooms: Penn State and Notre Dame in fierce competition for the No. 1 spot among powerhouse backfields.
In the unforgiving world of college football, where each yard earned can make the difference between a championship run and a season of regret, running backs often serve as the heartbeat of a team’s identity. They are the tone-setters, the workhorses, and in many cases, the clutch performers who carry a program’s hopes on their shoulders. As the 2025 season approaches, the conversation surrounding the top running back rooms in college football has reached a fever pitch. Two blue-blood programs, Penn State and Notre Dame, have emerged as the clear frontrunners in this debate, boasting backfields so loaded with talent, depth, and versatility that it’s become nearly impossible to declare a definitive leader. What is clear, however, is that both schools are built for dominance, and their running back corps will play a pivotal role in shaping the national landscape this fall.
Penn State’s evolution into a running back powerhouse has been both strategic and organic. Long revered for its defensive pedigree and linebacker development, the Nittany Lions have invested heavily in creating a backfield that can wear down elite defenses and tilt time of possession in their favor. At the center of this transformation is the one-two punch of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, two of the most complete backs in the country. Singleton, a former five-star phenom out of Pennsylvania, exploded onto the scene with a rare blend of breakaway speed and sharp vision. In 2024, he compiled over 1,300 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and a highlight reel of long runs that routinely broke games open.
Singleton is a home-run hitter in every sense of the word. Whether running inside zone, outside zone, or catching passes in the flat, he possesses a second gear that few defenders can match. He’s also an asset in the passing game, adding a layer of complexity to Penn State’s offense that forces linebackers and safeties to account for him on every snap. But what truly elevates this backfield to elite status is Kaytron Allen, Singleton’s backfield partner whose contrasting style has proven to be a perfect complement. Allen is the hammer to Singleton’s lightning. With a low center of gravity, powerful leg drive, and elite contact balance, Allen grinds out tough yards, excels in short-yardage situations, and delivers consistent production between the tackles.
Allen’s 2024 stat line was just as impressive: over 1,100 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and a punishing style that wears out defensive fronts. Together, Singleton and Allen create a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators, forcing them to choose between loading the box and risking explosive plays, or playing conservatively and surrendering control of the line of scrimmage. The depth behind them is equally promising. Quinton Martin, a top-50 national recruit and a five-star athlete by some services, joins the fold this season. At 6’2″ and 205 pounds with track speed, Martin brings an intriguing mix of size and athleticism. Though he may not be featured early in the season, he could emerge as a key contributor by midyear.
Also waiting in the wings is London Montgomery, a redshirt sophomore who’s finally healthy and turning heads in spring practice. Montgomery was a coveted recruit before suffering a knee injury, and now that he’s fully recovered, he’s expected to play a meaningful role in the rotation. Penn State’s offensive line, bolstered by returning veterans and a top-10 unit in the country according to most preseason rankings, serves as the foundation for this success. The synergy between line play and running back execution is crucial, and few teams are better positioned than the Nittany Lions to maximize that connection.
On the other side of the equation, Notre Dame has quietly built a backfield that rivals any in the nation. Under the leadership of Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, the Fighting Irish have established a physical yet modern offensive identity. Central to that identity is junior running back Jadarian Price, whose breakout 2024 season cemented him as one of college football’s most versatile and dangerous players. Price racked up 1,250 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, but what set him apart was his ability to impact the passing game. He added nearly 500 receiving yards and consistently lined up in the slot or out wide, creating mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
Price’s vision, agility, and football IQ allow him to navigate traffic with ease, but it’s his patience and burst that make him a nightmare for defenses. His playmaking ability was on full display in wins over USC and Clemson, where he accounted for multiple scores and helped Notre Dame control the tempo. Complementing him is sophomore Jeremiah Love, a rising star who brings a different dynamic to the backfield. Love is a burner—a pure speed threat capable of flipping the field with a single touch. His 75-yard touchdown run against USC in 2024 was a turning point in that game and a reminder of his home-run potential. He finished the season with over 850 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, averaging more than six yards per carry.
Beyond Price and Love is a deep reservoir of talent that includes Kedren Young and Gi’Bran Payne. Young, a sophomore from Texas, is a powerful north-south runner with deceptive agility. In limited carries last season, he flashed impressive potential and earned praise from the coaching staff for his work ethic and physicality. Payne, a seasoned veteran, provides experience and reliability, particularly in pass protection and short-yardage situations. Together, they round out a backfield that can do it all—run inside, run outside, catch the ball, protect the quarterback, and maintain balance regardless of game script.
Notre Dame’s offensive line, a perennial strength, once again returns multiple starters and features several All-American candidates. That continuity upfront provides a stable foundation for Freeman and Denbrock to build their offense around the run game. With an emphasis on pulling guards, wide zone schemes, and motion, the Irish create opportunities for their backs to find daylight and exploit defensive over-pursuits. The play design also opens up cutback lanes and stretch runs, allowing players like Price and Love to maximize their explosiveness in open space.
Recruiting has played a pivotal role in this backfield renaissance for both schools. Penn State’s recent success in attracting top-tier running back talent, particularly within the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions, has created a pipeline of elite runners. With Tiqwai Hayes already committed for the 2025 class, the Nittany Lions show no signs of slowing down. Hayes, another Pennsylvania native, brings elite quickness, vision, and the ability to contribute early. For Notre Dame, the future is just as bright. The Irish landed four-star speedster Justin Thurman from Tampa, Florida, a player whose versatility and open-field elusiveness have drawn comparisons to former Irish star Kyren Williams. Thurman’s ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver fits perfectly within Notre Dame’s scheme and culture.
As the debate rages on, the distinctions between the two backfields become more philosophical than tangible. Penn State’s approach is built on balance and physicality. They lean on a thunder-and-lightning duo to control games and wear down defenses. Their offense thrives in cold weather, grinding through Big Ten battles and setting the tone with a smashmouth identity. Notre Dame, by contrast, leans into creativity, versatility, and misdirection. They can spread defenses out, use motion to dictate coverage, and keep defenses guessing with backs who can line up all over the field. While Penn State punches you in the mouth and dares you to respond, Notre Dame forces you to chase shadows and adjust on the fly.
Both approaches are effective. Both are elite. And both could be the difference in a College Football Playoff run. The two programs are on a collision course, perhaps not literally, but certainly within the playoff discussion. If both teams live up to expectations, there’s a very real possibility that their running back rooms will be key variables in December and January matchups that decide the sport’s biggest prizes.
This is more than just a comparison of statistics or NFL potential. This is about identity, about which program can impose its will through the oldest and most fundamental aspect of football: running the ball. When the weather turns and conditions get gritty, when the stakes rise and mistakes are costly, it’s the ground game that often makes the difference. And that’s where these two teams shine brightest.
The 2025 season is set to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, and the battle between Penn State and Notre Dame for the title of best running back room is a subplot worthy of national attention. Whether it’s Singleton and Allen rumbling through a snowy Happy Valley or Price and Love slicing through defenses under the lights of Notre Dame Stadium, one thing is certain: the path to greatness runs through the backfield.
And in a sport where trends come and go, the enduring power of a dominant running game remains as vital as ever. Penn State and Notre Dame know this well. They’ve built their teams accordingly. And when the dust settles, it may not be the quarterbacks or the coaches who define the 2025 season—it may very well be the running backs.
