Penn State is set to hire new running backs coach, replacing Ja’Juan Seider, who left for Notre Dame this week. James Franklin acted quickly after Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray reportedly turned down the job to remain in Norman.
Drayton, who led Temple from 2022 until his dismissal in 2024 after a 3-7 start, brings 31 years of coaching experience, primarily as a running backs coach at both the college and NFL levels. Before Temple, he served as Texas’ assistant head coach, run-game coordinator, and running backs coach under Tom Herman and into Steve Sarkisian’s tenure. His experience will be key as Franklin isn’t just replacing a position coach—he’s also filling the role of a longtime assistant who held titles of assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Drayton’s hiring comes at a crucial time, as 2026 four-star running back Messiah Mickens is reportedly reconsidering his commitment to Penn State following Seider’s departure, with Notre Dame emerging as a potential landing spot. Keeping Mickens on board and maintaining the Nittany Lions’ strong 2026 recruiting class—currently ranked No. 4 nationally—will be one of Drayton’s first challenges.
On the field, Drayton inherits a loaded backfield. In a surprise move, both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Penn State’s 1,000-yard rushers from last season, chose to return rather than enter the NFL Draft, aiming for a national title alongside quarterback Drew Allar. Beyond them, the Nittany Lions have depth with Cam Wallace, who missed most of 2024 due to injury, redshirt freshmen Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith, and incoming four-star recruit Jabree Wallace-Coleman.
Drayton reportedly signed a multi-year deal, but with such a talented group in place, expectations will be high. If Singleton or Allen regress in their final season, Franklin may not hesitate to make another change.
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