Governor Mifflin’s Nicholas Singleton has moved on to become Penn State’s, Nicholas Singleton. The 6-foot, 215-pound running back was preparing to be in front of thousands at the Maxwell Football Club national awards dinner on Friday night at Atlantic City’s Harrah’s Resort.
Singleton, who rushed for 2,043 yards and 41 touchdowns, averaging 13.2 yards per touch, including 12.4 yards per rushing attempt this past season, became the first triple crown winner in the 85-year history of the prestigious Maxwell Club, winning the Pennsylvania Player of the Year award, the Ed Henry Award and the 2021 Maxwell Football Club Offensive National High School Player of the Year.
Singleton smashed every Mifflin school record, rushing for a career 6,716 yards, averaging 11.2 yards a carry, and scoring 110 touchdowns. He led Mifflin to a 10-1 record this past season and was selected Gatorade’s National Player of the Year and chosen to play in the All-American Bowl.
When he received the Maxwell Club Pennsylvania Player of the Year award in January, the humble Singleton was a little awestruck. Now, he’s absorbing this award season with a smile and beginning to realize what’s happening.
“It’s sinking in a little bit,” Singleton admitted.
His next life, as a college football player, has already begun. Singleton is up there at State College as an official member of the Penn State football team. He said he’s going to be wearing his No. 10, which he wore at Mifflin, and he’s attending classes and getting used to the college grind.
“It’s been busy and I rarely get time off, getting up at 6 in the morning, then there are walkthroughs and classes,” Singleton said. “I don’t get back to my dorms until around 7 or 8 at night. It’s been really busy. I feel like I’m in the army a little bit, with the schedule.
“I’ve put on some weight. I’m around 220 and I feel good at this weight. The coaching staff just wants me to keep my speed. I challenge myself by keeping my head down and working every day to get better than the next day.”
Alabama’s Bryce Young was there, as the recipient of the Maxwell Club Award as the national college player of the year. Singleton laughed for a moment at the notion that Young could be handing him the ball one day in the future if their career paths intersect at the same destination.
“It’s pretty cool being here around these guys and this situation,” Singleton said. “I know what I do, what players at this level do, put themselves through crazy stuff, and yes, it means doing abnormal stuff. I keep pushing myself every day to make myself reach a better level.
“I keep my circle close with people who have been with me since I first started playing. I’m getting used to talking. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous with all of this, making acceptance speeches.
“I’ve prepared myself for this. I’ll take a deep breath before I go up there and accept these awards. I turned 18 in January, and things did get harder faster for me. I’ll remember the fun and how this process has been. I got to meet and be among these special players and see and hear what they did to get here.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been covering high school football since 1992 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be followed on Twitter @JSantoliquito. Follow EasternPAFootball.com on Twitter @EPAFootball.
