Title: “Cougars Land a Powerhouse: Nicholas Singleton Brings Thunder to BYU Backfield”
June 30, 2025 — Provo, Utah
In a move that’s already sending shockwaves across the college football landscape, BYU has officially landed powerhouse running back Nicholas Singleton—a 275-pound freight train of an athlete who’s transferring from Penn State with immediate eligibility. Singleton’s arrival in Provo isn’t just a headline. It’s a statement.
The Unlikeliest Cougar
At first glance, Singleton’s size defies convention. At 6-foot-1, 275 pounds, he looks more like an edge rusher than a tailback. But put on the tape, and any skepticism vanishes. Singleton runs with the burst of a 215-pounder and hits holes like a runaway semi.
“He’s like Derrick Henry with a shot of nitrous,” said one NFL scout. “When he gets downhill, forget it. That’s four yards, minimum. And if he breaks through? Good luck catching him.”
Originally a five-star recruit out of Pennsylvania, Singleton had a productive two-year stretch at Penn State. But by early 2025, he was looking for a system that would unleash his full potential—and a staff that believed in building around physicality. Enter BYU.
Why BYU? Why Now?
According to sources close to Singleton’s camp, BYU’s offensive pitch was clear: come be the bell cow. The Cougars, heading into their second full season in the Big 12, were searching for an identity—something more than finesse and up-tempo gimmicks. They wanted grit. They wanted control. They wanted someone who could slam the door on tired fourth-quarter defenses.
Head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick reportedly flew to Harrisburg to meet Singleton and his family in person. It wasn’t about NIL figures or flash. It was about culture, opportunity, and faith—values Singleton said “felt like home.”
“They looked me in the eye,” Singleton said in his commitment announcement, “and told me they weren’t going to hand me the ball—they were going to build the offense around me.”
What Singleton Brings to the Field
BYU’s offense immediately gets bigger, badder, and bolder.
Singleton rushed for 1,124 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, despite sharing time in a crowded Penn State backfield. His combination of size and surprising breakaway speed—clocking a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash—makes him one of the most unique backs in college football.
BYU plans to use him in a hybrid role. Expect Singleton in the I-formation, zone schemes, and even split out in the slot. Roderick hinted at utilizing him in “some things people aren’t used to seeing from us.”
Defensive coordinators in the Big 12 are already sweating.
The Bigger Picture
With Singleton in the fold, BYU isn’t just adding a star—they’re changing their identity.
“He’s the kind of player that makes your O-line more aggressive, your quarterback more confident, and your defense more rested,” said former Cougar and ESPN analyst Trevor Matich. “You don’t tackle a 275-pound man 20 times a game without it leaving a scar.”
Singleton’s arrival also boosts BYU’s credibility in the transfer portal era. It sends a clear message to elite talent: Provo isn’t just a stopover—it’s a destination.
The Road Ahead
Nicholas Singleton will make his Cougar debut on September 1st in a nationally televised clash against Utah. And if all goes according to plan, he won’t just be BYU’s feature back—he’ll be its engine.
The Cougars now have thunder in the backfield. And the rest of the Big 12 just heard the rumble.
