The Penn State football running back room is going to look significantly different in 2026.
Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen graduated and are off to the NFL Draft. Others entered the transfer portal looking for new opportunities.
Quinton Martin Jr. decided to stay. The former four-star running back from Belle Vernon High School outside of Pittsburgh is returning for his redshirt sophomore season with an increased role in the backfield.
Head coach Matt Campbell recruited senior Carson Hansen to join the running back room with Martin and Cam Wallace.
Wallace entered the transfer portal but removed his name to come back to State College late in the process.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Campbell spoke on how he wants Martin to improve his strength.
“One of the things I’ve challenged him is physically, taking his body from 195 to where he should be, a 220-pound tailback,” Campbell said. “He should be a big, physical tailback.”
Martin is listed at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, but has already started to add on weight.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“I’m really proud of him,” Campbell said. “I think we weighed in today; he was 209 already, so I think he’s a guy that’s been totally bought in. Again, we all mature differently.”
He was a key retention on offense for Campbell and running backs coach Savon Huggins following a breakout performance in the bowl game.
Martin rushed for 103 yards on 20 carries during Penn State’s 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
“You come off a great bowl game and the success he had in the bowl game, and I think you see a guy that’s, like, determined to do special things,” Campbell said.
Martin Jr, Hansen, and Wallace will have big shoes to fill, replacing the leading rusher in program history (Allen) and career touchdowns record holder (Singleton)
Penn State underwent significant roster reconstruction in the transfer portal. Before that, PSU finished the 2025 season 7-6, after a 3-6 start, winning its last four games under interim coach Terry Smith.
Penn State opens the 2026 season hosting Marshall Sept 5.
