Running Back Quinton Martin Jr. Stands Out in Penn State Debut
The freshman scored two touchdowns in the Blue-White Game, signaling a chance to compete in the Nittany Lions' backfield.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State brings a veteran into the 2024 season, leaving only a few truly competitive positions during the spring. But with several regulars sidelined for Saturday’s Blue-White Game, the Nittany Lions’ running backs became a worthwhile storyline.
With starters Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen held out of the Blue-White Game, Penn State turned loose its trio of freshman backs, none of whom has a college carry. They’re vying for that No. 3 spot in the Nittany Lions’ offense and made separate claims to it.
Early in the scrimmage’s second quarter, true freshman Quinton Martin Jr. took a handoff from quarterback Drew Allar and worked to the left side before easily winning a footrace to the pylon for a 9-yard touchdown. Penn State coach James Franklin was looking for a holding penalty on the play that was not called, meaning Martin — the No. 3 prospect in Pennsylvania’s 2024 recruiting class — had his first Beaver Stadium highlight.
“He's an awesome kid. He's learned the offense really well. I do think he's got really good vision,” Franklin said. “But I think between now and West Virginia, he's got a lot of work to do. And I think he'll do it. I think he’ll have a chance to be competing to be in that rotation in training camp.”
Martin scored two touchdowns, the second on a nifty 12-yard run that featured a cutback and burst of speed through the middle of the offensive line. Redshirt freshman Cam Wallace got the bulk of the work, rushing seven times for 36 yards and catching one pass for six yards.
Penn State knows what it has in Singleton and Allen, who return for their third seasons. Franklin said that Singleton was banged up in practice this week but was unlikely to play significant snaps for maintenance reasons in the first place. Allen, meanwhile, has missed a stretch of practice this spring and was unable to play, though Franklin does not expect the injury to linger through the summer.
Wallace, a former 3-star prospect who spent most of his time on the scout team last season, has received strong reviews this spring. He and Martin will factor into what Franklin has hinted at being a true competition for the third running back spot. Redshirt freshman London Montgomery (five carries, 8 yards) is also in the fold.
“Since the start of this spring, [Wallace] has really shown some flashes,” quarterback Beau Pribula said. “He's one of the guys I think really popped up on everybody's radar ever since he's gotten his opportunity starting this spring.”
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Franklin also added that Martin missed time this spring, so the staff still needs to see more out of him. But his versatility is a big factor, as he played more like a wide receiver fairly often in high school. Pribula said Martin, who should still be a high schooler, already carries himself more like an older player.
“Cam is quick. He's quick, fast, elusive. But the new guy, [Martin], is like a receiver in the backfield,” linebacker Kobe King said. “He's running his routes, he's sticking his routes, he's athletic, he shows elusiveness and he could bring a different type of style to our offense.”
Last season, transfer running back Trey Potts carved out a useful No. 3 role in Penn State’s offense, rushing 25 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns, as well as making four receptions for 57 yards and a trick-play passing touchdown. The Nittany Lions have depth beyond Singleton and Allen this year, and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has said he will spread the ball. Running backs will be used in multiple ways, including often as receivers. That adds up to make Penn State’s No. 3 running back competition an interesting one.
“Nick and Kaytron did a really good job of taking those young guys under their wing and coaching them to the best of their abilities, and obviously [running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider] is a fantastic coach as well,” Allar said. “So I think the running back room is in a really good spot. Cam Wallace also had a really good spring and showed some flashes today. He and Quinton did some really good things this spring when they had their opportunities.”
Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.
