Penn State coaches are delighted with their find Quinton Martin. The talent, a running back for Belle Vernon High School in Pennsylvania, has not disappointed. Standing at 6-f00t-2 with a weight of 205 Ibs, Martin is one of the most hyped recruits in the class of 2024. Martin also plays basketball and earned the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Westmoreland Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors. He sure is multitalented!

Penn State head coach James Franklin is upbeat about Martin. Franklin described him as an “awesome kid” and said he has mastered the offense well. “I think he’s got really good vision, but he’s got a lot of work to do before Week 1,” he said. Martin managed to score two times and win the approval of both the trainer and the audience.

Rising star in Pennsylvania

Quinton Martin demonstrated many skills in high school, particularly throughout his football journey. Belle Vernon High School is where he was equally versatile in the field, performing as a running back, receiver, punter, and defender. He finished the sophomore season with 80-902-12 rushing; as a junior, he ran for 1,279 yards and led Belle Vernon to its second-straight PIAA 3-A state championship. Because of his unique ability to make an imitation and his athletic abilities, he attracted a lot of college recruiters. He decided where to play college football when, in April 2023, he pledged to the Pennsylvania State University.

That being said, with potential top running back options Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen possibly departing to the NFL next year, Martin might be relied on as the main playmaker in the Penn State backfield. Star quarterback Drew Allar, speaking about the role of Singleton and Allen in teaching Martin, said everyone on the team was supportive. “Nick and Kaytron did a really good job of taking those young guys under their wing and coaching them to the best of their abilities,” Allar said.

Martin’s impact on Penn State’s future

Other aspects, such as Martin’s effectiveness in catching the ball out of the backfield, have been widely appreciated. Wide receiver Kaden Saunders noted that Martin has great hands, which brings the element of the catch to the table. This skill set would turn Martin into a dual-threat running back who would also be a factor in the passing game.

Martin’s prospects look good in the spring’s preview game, as well as the recommendation of the coaches and partners. Still rising and evolving to the college level, there is a lot to expect from Penn State with him. Because of his physical abilities and the different positions that he can play, he is an asset to the Nittany Lions team. Thus, although Martin is not one of the brightest stars in Penn State’s football team, hard work and genuine desire can point him to the path of the greatest running backs in history.