BREAKING: Penn State Star Nicholas Singleton Stuns College Football World, Rejects $4.5 Million NIL Offer to Stay in Happy Valley
State College, PA – April 10, 2025
In an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are rewriting the college football landscape, Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton just made a statement that transcends dollar signs. The junior star has reportedly turned down a staggering $4.5 million NIL offer from multiple national powerhouses—including Georgia and Notre Dame—to remain with the Nittany Lions for the 2025 season.
The offer, which sources say would have included endorsement deals, personal branding partnerships, and guaranteed compensation through collective programs, was among the largest known NIL packages offered to a running back to date. But Singleton, widely considered one of the most explosive backs in the country, chose loyalty over luxury.
“I have no plans beyond being a Penn State champion,” Singleton said in a powerful video posted to social media Thursday morning. “I came here with a vision—to win titles, to make history in blue and white, and to finish what we started. No amount of money can replace that.”
Singleton’s decision sent shockwaves across the college football world, with fans, analysts, and players praising his commitment to the Penn State program and head coach James Franklin.
Franklin, speaking with the media shortly after the announcement, said Singleton’s decision represents the kind of culture the program is striving to build.
“This speaks volumes about who Nick is as a person, not just as a player,” Franklin said. “He believes in his teammates, in our staff, and in what we’re building at Penn State. He’s a leader, and now he’s a legacy.”
Singleton rushed for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns during the 2024 season, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors and helping Penn State to a 10-2 finish. With quarterback Drew Allar also returning, the Nittany Lions are positioned to make a serious run at a Big Ten title and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025.
While some viewed Singleton as a potential early draft entry or high-profile NIL transfer target, his loyalty to Penn State sets a rare precedent in the NIL era, where top players are frequently lured away by lucrative offers.
“This was about legacy, not leverage,” said a source close to Singleton’s family. “Nick and his family value loyalty, education, and relationships. He wants to win something meaningful, and he believes that happens at Penn State.”
Social media exploded with support for Singleton, with former Nittany Lions like Saquon Barkley and Micah Parsons chiming in to congratulate the young star.
“Culture. Loyalty. Legacy. That’s how you build greatness,” Parsons wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Respect, Nick.”
With Singleton back in the fold, along with key returners like Allar, Kaytron Allen, and Zane Durant, Penn State’s 2025 roster is loaded with veteran firepower. The season opener against Nevada on August 30 at Beaver Stadium is now one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
Nicholas Singleton’s message is clear: the hunt for a championship isn’t about the bag—it’s about the badge. And he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve, right in the heart of Happy Valley.