Penn State fans didn’t know what to expect from Quinton Martin.
After all, Martin hadn’t ran the ball once in 2025, so whatever information they had about Martin would have come from the practice field.
But this Saturday, Dec. 27, Martin had a chance to perform in a game, against a Power Four opponent.
Not only did Martin hold his own against Clemson, he dominated, ending the afternoon with 101 yards on 20 carries.
It surely made Penn State fans think about how Martin might fit into new coach Matt Campbell’s plans, but for his teammates, it was just Martin showing what he could do in practice, only in what Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin would call “a stadium-like environment.”
“You kind of saw a glimpse of what he is as a player,” quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer said. “We saw it in practice, just with how shifty he is … He’s a shifty guy. He’s really good in space.”
It was a cold day with a challenging turf that a running back needed to embrace a certain style to be successful in, and Martin answered the bell.
“Today’s game required downhill running. He displayed that,” interim coach Terry Smith said. afterward. “He displayed tough running. He showed a side that he could be a slasher and a physical back all in one game, and I’m super proud of him.”
Martin’s time at Penn State so far hasn’t always been easy.
He came to PSU as one of the program’s top recruits in the Class of 2024, having reached borderline five-star status at Belle Vernon High School in the Pittsburgh area.
Martin’s skill set could have made him a Big Ten receiver or safety, but he was committed to playing running back.
“Running back’s in my veins,” Martin told NSN while he was still at Belle Vernon. “My uncle, my dad, everybody in my family played it, so I definitely plan on playing running back in the future.”
Early on, Martin impressed Penn State’s veteran backs.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“Ever since Quinton stepped on campus during the spring, he’s been really good,” Nicholas Singleton told reporters via Zoom in the spring of Martin’s freshman season. “He’s been locked in. He’s willing to learn everything, man. Always asking questions in the meeting rooms with (RB) Coach (Ja’Juan) Seider. Always doing extra time off the field too in the film room. He’s been really good
Injuries limited Martin to 13 carries in 2024, and in Year 2, he didn’t have any carries through the 12-game regular season.
But Martin’s love of the game has never wavered.
“It was definitely tough at times, but at the end of day, we’re playing football,” Martin said. “We’ve been playing this game since we were kids, and it’s something I love to do. So it was amazing … There’s definitely points throughout when you’re on the side, when you’re on the bench, that’s the biggest motivator, so I definitely was in my head a couple times, but I just had to talk to my family and just stay patient.”
A big question now becomes: will Martin stay at Penn State?
With a new coach coming in, the status of Penn State’s best young players is up in the air, and in Martin’s case, Penn State’s RB room could be quite crowded, with Corey Smith and Cam Wallace each having eligibility.
Martin said he hasn’t gotten to speak with Campbell 1-on-1 yet, but was impressed with the coach after hearing him address the team.
“He’s a great guy,” Martin said. “We had a team meeting. I got the opportunity to listen to him speak, and I really like him. I like what he’s about. I like his culture, and I’m looking forward to speak with him.”
As for Martin’s decision? It hasn’t been made yet.
The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.
“I’m going to talk to my family, just weigh my options, and just see where the Lord takes me,” Martin said.
