There’s a certain level of intensity Stan Drayton has brought to practices in his first spring as Penn State’s running backs coach. He’s loud and demanding, instructive and highly involved in every drill. Drayton has not let his two seasoned rushers, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, be complacent in their final collegiate offseason. He’s determined to take them to another level.
The departure of Ja’Juan Seider sent shockwaves through his pupils. He was off for Notre Dame, leaving behind one of the nation’s top running back duos and a program with national title aspirations. But James Franklin used Seider’s exit as an opportunity to grow further, hiring the distinguished developer Drayton after three seasons as Temple’s head coach.
And, so far, Drayton appears to be a perfect match for the Nittany Lions. His drills have simulated game-like situations. It’s clear his intent is to prepare Singleton and Allen for superstardom, a championship and long careers in the NFL. Franklin can’t say enough good things about him. Neither can Singleton, poised to become one of the nation’s leading rushers.
“He’s just a veteran, veteran running backs coach. I think his head coaching experience has been very helpful for him,” Franklin said after practice on Tuesday. “Before he transitioned to being the head coach at Temple, he was considered the best running back coach in college football, and he’s got a resume that backs that up.”
Brian Westbrook. Carlos Hyde. Bijan Robinson. Ezekiel Elliot. Drayton has coached some of the all-time greats. Singleton and Allen have found comfort in that throughout the process of trusting a new leader. This is a coach who found success at almost every stop he took, winning national championships at Florida and Ohio State, and also developing two top-10 NFL Draft picks.
“His resume speaks for itself,” Singleton said. “Coached a lot of good players, was on good teams, national championship teams, too. He’s seen it all. But Coach Drayton has been a really good coach on the field and off the field too.”
The transition from Seider to Drayton was never going to be easy. Singleton and Allen were recruited by Seider out of high school. He coached the duo over the first three years of their college careers, breaking them onto the national stage as true freshmen. Singleton said he was “upset” when Seider first informed him of his intent to leave, but soon things turned a corner.
Drayton entered the facilities and made an immediate impact. He told reporters at his introductory press conference in February all about how he wanted his new athletes to achieve their goals. That their goals were his own. And since taking the field for spring practice, his presence has only enhanced the production of his room.
“(He’s) done a good job connecting with the room. That was going to be a challenge,” Franklin said. “Obviously, they had the same running backs coach their entire career. So those changes are hard, but they seem to be embracing it, and so does Stan. I think Stan’s having fun.”
Drayton threw dummy bags into his backs as they ran through a drill at Tuesday’s practice. It was evident this was used to simulate a game situation. “Good, good,” he’d yell as they pushed through the gauntlet. After a hard hit, he and his players would laugh. He’s brought a different mood within Holuba Hall, and it’s one that looks about as promising as it could thus far.
“I think Stan has done a phenomenal job,” Franklin said. “You guys have had a chance to be close-up and personal with Stan, and his drills. Stan’s drills have been really intentional. And those guys, I think, are really doing well right now.”
