Penn State running back Carson Hansen gains trust of his coaches, teammates

Trust is a big deal when it comes to Carson Hansen and the Penn State football coaching staff.

>Hansen quickly decided to transfer from Iowa State after Matt Campbell left Ames to become the Nittany Lions coach “because they’re just people who I trust.”

>The feeling is mutual.

>“He is as trusted as any player I’ve coached,” offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser said. “He is one of our best leaders and will set the tone for our offense this season.”

>The 6-2, 216-pound Hansen will anchor a backfield group in an offense that’s expected to be run-heavy. He led Iowa State in rushing the last two seasons, running for 1,704 yards and 19 touchdowns and averaging more than 5 yards per carry.

>“You can be one-on-one with him in the hole, but he’s going to make you miss,” said linebacker Caleb Bacon, who has played with Hansen since 2023. “He’s a really quick guy and really shifty. There probably have been times when he makes you look silly.”

>Hansen is the top candidate to start at running back because of his experience and knowledge with Campbell, Mouser and the playbook. Ohio State transfer James Peoples, Pinstripe Bowl star Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace also are in the mix.

>They have a couple of tough acts to follow, succeeding Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton, who finished their Penn State careers as the No. 1 and No. 4 rushers in school history.

>Hansen, a former Minnesota high school star, ended last season with five straight 100-yard games, the most at Iowa State since current New York Jets back Breece Hall had eight consecutive 100-yard games in 2020.

>That’s something Allen or Singleton never did during their outstanding college careers.

>“Carson is a big, physical, downhill running back that wants to smash your face in,” Mouser said. “He can play all down and distances and situations. He has breakaway speed and exceptional hands.”

>Hansen’s finest performance came in a 41-27 loss last year to then-No. 10 BYU when he rushed 16 times for 152 yards and two TDs.

>“He can do everything,” guard Trevor Buhr said. “He can catch the ball. He can run the ball. He can block. That really helps us a lot more than I initially thought.

>“It’s like having a safety net. If we just move this guy a little bit, he’s going to hit the hole and it’ll be good.”

>Campbell has described Hansen as “durable, tough and physical with great vision” and said he was impressive during spring practice.

>“He just got better and better and better,” Campbell said in April. “I think he’s in the best shape of his life, which is awesome to see. I think he’s really done a great job.”

>Since arriving at Penn State, Hansen has worked on how to avoid one-on-one tackles in the open field with the help of running backs coach Savon Huggins.

>“The O-linemen made a lot of great holes last season,” he said. “I was really fortunate to run behind that line. It (his success) all started up front. It’s hitting the hole and making quick decisions.

>“I need to keep working on making that free defender miss and setting him up right, not just at the first and second levels but the whole deal.”

>The 5-10, 214-pound Peoples was once a four-star prospect from San Antonio. He rushed for 541 yards and five TDs in two seasons at Ohio State playing behind TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, Bo Jackson and C.J. Donaldson.

>“We were really excited about (bringing in) James Peoples,” Campbell said. “There was a lot of excitement from our end. He’s a great complement to Carson. He has the ability to do special things.”

>Then there are the two Penn State returners, Martin and Wallace, who has seen limited action. After waiting behind Allen and Singleton, who both opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl, the 6-1, 212-pound Martin carried 20 times for 103 yards in a 22-10 victory over Clemson.

>“I challenged him to take his weight from 195 to 220,” Campbell said in April. “I’m really proud of him. He’s determined to do special things. I like that room. We’re excited about it.”

>Hansen has the inside track to be the starter with his talent, experience and leadership.

>“Off the field he’s a great person,” Buhr said. “He leads our Bible study. He’s always doing community service. He’s never in trouble. He’s always helping people and doing the right thing.”