Size matters. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Take for instance the frame of Penn State running back Kaytron Allen. Nicknamed by teammates “Fatman” due to his 225-pound frame, Allen’s size likely limited his reps early in camp.

That’s not the case anymore. After leaving IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.) to enroll early, Allen made sure to shed the weight before the start of the new season. Working with the school’s nutritional specialists, Allen shed nearly 25 pounds, coming in at 201 to begin the new season.

Penn State coach James Franklin has been pleased with Allen’s transformation, but the nickname isn’t leaving. Fatman will live on at State College moving into conference play. Perhaps it’s how he becomes a legend in the making?

“I was kidding around about his nickname, Fatman,” Franklin told reporters earlier this week. “He’s less and less of his nickname.”

Allen certainly doesn’t move as his nickname would suggest. He’s looked agile, quick, and has a certain burst to his game when running between the tackles. It’s been evident on more than one occasion that Allen has emerged as more of a “lightning” style player compared to the “thunder” persona that initially was used to describe him opposite freshman Nick Singleton.

Through 3 games this season, Allen has rushed for 106 yards off 23 carries and has scored 2 touchdowns. Last week on the road against Auburn, Allen scored on a 3-yard run in the closing minutes of the second quarter, and a 6-yard run in the third quarter.

“I mean, we called him Fatman for a reason when he got here,” senior running back Devyn Ford said. “But we still call him Fatman. He lost like, what, 10 pounds?”

The Nittany Lions return to Beaver Stadium Saturday to take on Central Michigan at noon E.T.