This is one in a series of stories breaking down each player on Penn State football’s 2026 roster.
Quinton Martin Jr. arrived at Penn State as one of the most highly regarded players in Pennsylvania.
Now, he enters 2026 with a much bigger opportunity.
Martin, a redshirt sophomore from Belle Vernon, is part of a Penn State running back room trying to move forward after the end of one of the greatest backfield eras in program history. Kaytron Allen left as Penn State’s all-time rushing leader with 4,180 yards. Nicholas Singleton left as the program’s all-time touchdown scorer with 45.
That isn’t normal production to replace.
It’s historic production.
Martin won’t be asked to become Allen or Singleton overnight, but he’s one of the players Penn State will need to develop quickly if the offense is going to keep its rushing identity.
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound back appeared in six games as a true freshman in 2024. He finished with 32 rushing yards on 13 carries and three receptions for 18 yards, while adding a 27-yard kickoff return. His best rushing performance came against Kent State, when he had seven carries for 24 yards. Against UCLA, Martin recorded three catches for 18 yards.
His 2025 season offered a more interesting glimpse.
According to Pro Football Focus, Martin played in Penn State’s bowl game against Clemson and rushed 20 times for 103 yards. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry, forced four missed tackles and produced 60 yards after contact. His longest run went for 21 yards.
It wasn’t just late-game window dressing. It was Martin handling a real workload against a quality opponent and showing the physical tools that made him such a coveted high school prospect.
Before Penn State: Martin starred at Belle Vernon Area High School under coach Matt Humbert. He was a four-year letterman and a team captain as a senior.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Martin helped Belle Vernon to a 13-1 record, a WPIAL title and a 3A state championship as a senior. The Leopards also went 10-1 his junior season and 9-2 when he was a sophomore.
He was one of the most productive players in Pennsylvania.
As a senior, Martin rushed for 1,181 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 53 receptions for 764 yards and 11 scores. As a junior, he ran for 1,279 yards and 22 touchdowns and added 28 catches for 424 yards and six touchdowns. As a sophomore, he rushed for 425 yards and eight touchdowns.
Martin was ranked as a consensus four-star prospect, the No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania by On3, the No. 3 athlete and No. 10 prospect in the country by On3, and the No. 29 overall prospect nationally by 247Sports.
Where he stands: Martin enters 2026 with a real chance to become a major piece of Penn State’s offense.
PSU added transfers James Peoples and Carson Hansen but Martin’s size, versatility and high-end recruiting profile make him one of the most intriguing options.
His Clemson performance gave Penn State something tangible to build from.
Now comes the next step: turning flashes into consistency.
Replacing Allen and Singleton statistically is a massive task for the entire running back room.
For Martin, the opportunity is clear. He has the talent, frame and in-state pedigree to become part of Penn State’s next backfield identity.
