WPIAL legend Quinton Martin wasn’t expected to have a big role in his true freshman season at Penn State.
Martin, who starred at Belle Vernon Area High School and was one of Penn State’s highest-rated Class of 2024 signees, came into the season fourth on the RB depth chart behind stars Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, plus second-year runner Cam Wallace.
Now, Wallace is out with a “long-term injury,” per coach James Franklin.
Because of Singleton (53 carries, 408 yards, three TD, 7.7 yards per carry through four games) and Allen (53/289/1/5.5), the third-string RB at Penn State wouldn’t need to get a lot of playing time in a perfect world, meaning no injuries. But as Penn State has experienced already this season with Wallace, star safety KJ Winston and TE Andrew Rappleyea, a perfect season when it comes to avoiding injuries is impossible.
Martin’s experienced this himself, having been hampered by injury throughout spring and fall practice.
If heaven forbid, Singleton or Allen has to miss time, Martin’s role would become much more significant.
For Singleton, Martin has been making the most of his time at Penn State thus far.
“Every since Quinton stepped on campus during the spring, he’s been really good,” he told reporters via Zoom Tuesday morning. “He’s been locked in. He’s willing to learn everything, man. Always asking questions in the meeting rooms with (RB) Coach (JaJuan) Seider. Always doing extra time off the field too in the film room. He’s been really good.
So what does Martin do well physically?
“He has a lot of speed, man,” Singleton said. “A lot of quickness, twitchiness, too. So, he’s been really good, and he just has to keep working.”
Time will tell how much Martin is needed in 2024. But in any case, there’s no reason to think he can’t be a star for Penn State down the line.
