Conversation surrounding the running back class for the 2026 NFL Draft is dominated by Notre Dame‘s Jeremiyah Love. Rightfully so, as he’s one of the best players in the draft, period. However, there’s a lot to like down the board at this position. One of those players is Penn State’s Kaytron Allen. He is currently the RB6 on the LWOS Big Board, sitting at 118th overall.
Kaytron Allen 2026 NFL Draft Profile
Measurables*
Height: 5’11 1/8″
Weight: 220
Arm Length: 30″
Hand Size: 9 4/8″
*All confirmed at 2026 Senior Bowl
Player Background
Kaytron Allen was a four-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a school he attended for three years. He spent his freshman year of high school at Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia before transferring. Allen committed to Penn State out of high school and played there for his whole collegiate career. He was a major contributor right away for the Nittany Lions, racking up 1,052 yards from scrimmage on 187 touches, scoring 12 times. Allen was named an All-Big 10 honorable mention by the media for his play. Subsequently, he continued this production in 2023, totaling 980 yards from scrimmage on 186 touches, including another 7 touchdowns. Following this season, he was an honorable mention no more. He was named Second Team All-Big 10 by the coaches and Third Team All-Big 10 by the media.
Kaytron Allen saw a major uptick in opportunities in 2024. He had a total of 237 touches and produced 1,254 scrimmage yards along with 10 total touchdowns. This was his first collegiate season in which he eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing, racking up 1,101. Accordingly, he was named an All-Big 10 honorable mention once again. Finally, in his senior season, he culminated his collegiate career with his best season yet. In 2025, Kaytron Allen totaled 1,303 yards rushing on 210 attempts (6.2 yards/attempt) along with a monster 15 touchdowns. He only had 18 receptions for 68 yards receiving, but the focus here is on his evolution as a rusher. Allen was named First Team All-Big 10 by both the coaches and media for the first time. He was also named Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. He was invited to and participated in the 2026 Senior Bowl as well.
Strengths
- Very proficient at breaking tackles (181 missed tackles forced in his career)
- Consistently navigates rushing lanes successfully regardless of run type
- Consistently finishes runs strong, fights for extra yardage
- Highly experienced in an option system
- Great ball security (6 fumbles on 838 fumbles at Penn State)
- Reliable hands as a receiver (6 career drops)
Weaknesses
- Lacks home-run speed, often hawked down on breakaway runs
- Rarely makes defenders miss with moves in space, relies solely on physicality to force missed tackles
- Needs improvement in pass protection
Player Comparison: Tyler Allgeier
Projected Draft Capital: Late Day 2
Team Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys
Last Word on Kaytron Allen in the 2026 NFL Draft
Kaytron Allen is perhaps the most consistent running back in his draft class. Allen produced 850 or more rushing yards in all four seasons at Penn State. He also reached double-digit total touchdowns in three out of four of those seasons. This production, with very few negatives, within Penn State’s diverse rushing scheme, is a big reason why he projects as a Day 2 player. Keep in mind, as well, that this production came in a split-backfield. Allen was running with teammate Nic Singleton throughout his whole collegiate career. The reason why he may come off the board later on Day 2 is because of his seemingly one-dimensional game. He’s a power back, tried-and-true. He doesn’t often run away from defenders, nor does he have that shiftiness to make defenders miss. His M.O. is to run through defenders when he needs to. He doesn’t let that take away from the play, though, as he consistently follows the blocking assignments to a tee. Allen could be a big riser if he posts good times at the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40 Yard Dash, 3 Cone Drill, and Short Shuttle.
Main Photo: [] – Imagn Images