Penn State RB Quinton Martin’s role has gotten more significant over the past 12 days and could be getting even bigger come Saturday.
Cam Wallace, who had been the third-string RB, got hurt against Kent State, and coach James Franklin has since confirmed that he has a long-term injury.
Then, at this Wednesday’s practice, star RB Nick Singleton wasn’t seen during the media’s weekly Wednesday practice viewing window.
It’s anybody’s guess as to what that situation is.
Franklin was predictably mum about the situation when asked about it in his post-practice scrum.
RB coach Ja’Jaun Seider was the same way when asked about it the next afternoon. Later in that interview, Seider was asked about Martin, and how prepared he’d be if he has to become the team’s No. 2 running back behind Kaytron Allen.
For Seider, there’s no alibi for the former Belle Vernon Star if he isn’t prepared.
“Yeah, he’s ready,” Seider said. “He’s been here all spring. He’s got no excuse not to be ready. If he ain’t ready, I ain’t done my job.”
For Seider, Martin— as well fellow true freshman RB Corey Smith, who would become the third-string RB if Singleton is to miss any time— has to always be prepared regardless of his place on the depth chart.
“He needs to be ready anyway,” Seider said. “I mean, he’s ready to go. So it ain’t like, whether Nick playing or not, that doesn’t have anything to do with it. He’s gotta be ready to go regardless. Same with Corey (Smith). Gotta be ready to go regardless. So, it’s my job.”
Seider feels it’s his responsibility to coach everybody as if their the starter.
“I always say this, you coach the fifth guy no differently than you coach the first guy,” he said. “Because you never know when you’re fifth guy gotta be your first guy.”
He then referenced the 2020 season, when Penn State lost starters Noah Cain and Journey Brown for the year.
“We lived with that during COVID,” he said, “and that’s always been how I was brought up as a coach from my father that you coach everybody to be a starter. Their preparation doesn’t change whether I’m the fifth guy or the first guy. Because, like you said, you’re a play away from being the guy. So it’s the mentality.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.But Seider knows his worst mean little if the players don’t apply them on the field.
“I can say it as a coach, but they have to do it,” he said. “And I think having Quinton here all spring and all summer, all fall, he’s ready. He knows the system inside and out. Now, just go play.”
Martin got his first chance to run the ball in a college game against Kent State, gaining 24 yards on seven carries.
For Seider, Martin “operated like he had confidence” that day.
Seider knows young players will make mistakes, but wants them to do so while going all out.
For Singleton, Martin has been making the most of his time at Penn State thus far.
“I think with all young kids at any position, we’re always talking about taking a deep breath,” he said. “Stop worrying about being perfect. If you’re going to mess up, mess up 100 miles per hour, and good things will happen that way.
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.”
Whether it’s this week or not, it’s more than likely the bell will ring for Martin eventually.
Seider’s confident he’ll answer it.
“So I have no reserve that he’s not ready,” Martin said. “If he has to play, he’s ready to play.”
