Recruit Rewind: Detailing RB Quinton Martin's path to Penn State

Spring break has arrived at Penn State, which means we’re just days away from the start of spring practice on March 12. For the time being, we’re looking back at the Nittany Lions’ Class of 2024, profiling all 25 players. Today, we’ll recap running back Quinton Martin’s path to Penn State.

Quinton Martin Jr.
Running Back
6-1, 185
Belle Vernon
Belle Vernon, Pa.

Rankings	Stars	National	Position	State
On3 Industry	****	98	2	3
On3	****	145	4	5
ESPN	****	91	6	1
Rivals	****	125	8	2
247Sports	****	130	8	3

Statistics

• Totaled 1,945 yards of offense and 27 touchdowns his senior year
• Totaled 1,703 yards of offense and 34 touchdowns his junior season.
• Led Belle Vernon to back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023

Notable

• Four-year letterman
• All-state selection in 2021, 2022, 2023
• Earned an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game

Recruitment

• Committed to Penn State on April 7, 2023
• Recruited by Terry Smith & Ja’Juan Seider
• Picked Penn State over Ohio State, Pitt and West Virginia
• Officially visited on June 9, 2023

Link: 2025 targets we’re monitoring closely for future PSU RPM predictions

Projection: Penn State has two talented running backs returning in Nick Singleton and Kayton Allen, and yet, despite that, we wouldn’t be surprised if Quinton Martin finds a way on the field in 2024. Over the past three seasons, Martin totaled over 1,300 yards receiving for Belle Vernon and may already be the best pass catcher in Ja’Juan Seider’s room. There are a lot of ways Martin could make an impact in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense. Whether they be jet sweeps, lining up in the slot or getting carries, don’t be surprised if Martin plays in five or more games.

Belle Vernon head coach Matt Humbert: “Quinton is a generational player. That is not just referring to his contributions as a football player but more so as an ambassador of how it is done. Our mottos of ‘Do your job’ and ‘Lay brick’ are on full display in everything that he does. The way he handles the grind and adversity placed upon him daily is a testament to a buy-in that has propelled us to two state championships. Him and his teammates’ buy-in to the program is unrivaled.” 

Get to know Penn State RB Quinton Martin

Penn State signed no shortage of talented players in its Class of 2024, but you won’t find many who excite fans more than Quinton Martin. A native of Belle Vernon, Pa., Martin has proven over the years that he can do it all. During his junior and senior seasons, not only did Martin rack up some eye-catching stats, totaling more than 3,600 yards of offense and 61 touchdowns, but he also proved to be a winner, leading Belle Vernon to back-to-back PIAA 3A state championships in 2022 and 2023.

But is you ask anyone who follows high school football in Western Pennsylvania closely, his career isn’t a surprise. By the time he was in middle school, Martin had already made a name for himself to those in the area. 

“We knew he was going to be a really good player early on,” said Belle Vernon head coach Matt Humbert. “In middle school, just about every game they would open up handing him a jet sweep, and just about every game, he’d end up scoring on that. So, of course, we knew who he was in sixth, seventh, eighth grade. Going into his freshman year, there was a lot of people saying, ‘Hey, this kid can start as a freshman.’ I never really jumped on that boat because I know the level that we play. It’s hard for a kid as a freshman to start right away.

“But I remember all eyes were on him the first day of camp and we put him into a very high-intensity hitting drill that first day. We knew if he could hold his own right there, he’s going to be a dude. He didn’t let us down that day or really at any point during his freshman year, that’s for sure.”

Link: Penn State football sets 2024 summer camp schedule

The only question college coaches ever had about Martin is where exactly he fits best at the next level. Despite primarily playing running back, Martin totaled nearly 1,500 yards receiving throughout his high school career. On top of that, he did it all on defense, too, making impact plays consistently at both linebacker and defensive back.

Earning more than 20 offers, there was never really a true consensus among college coaches on where he should play. Penn State was open to whatever position Martin preferred. For him, there was never anything to think about. He wanted to be a running back, and that helped the Lions emerge as the favorite early on.

But his relationships with both Terry Smith, who oversees recruiting in and around Pittsburgh, as well as running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider were also pivotal. Quinton’s uncle, Shawn Martin, made it clear following his nephew’s commitment last April how much those relationships impacted his decision. 

“What was the key factor was the communication with the coaches,” Martin said. “They’re very passionate and we got the opportunity to interact with all the coaches. They weren’t trying to sell you. They’re very transparent. It was just real. Every question that we ever had, they not only answered, but they made sure that we left there satisfied.”

At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Martin is taller than most running backs, but his growth in recent years hasn’t really impacted him athletically. 

Link: Four-star prospect from down south locks in Penn State visit date

“His instincts and vision, without a doubt,” Humbert said when asked what separates Martin from his peers. “In some of the inside and outside runs that we have, I mean, he just has such good vision. If you really look last year, about midway through, some of the different ways that he was able to manipulate his body in a tight window is pretty impressive. The speed and all that stuff, that’s self-explanatory, but I think the way that he kind of operates in close proximity is something that’s very impressive.”

With both Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen returning for the 2024 season, you would think that Martin is likely to redshirt next year. However, it’s also no secret that the Nittany Lions need playmakers, and Martin easily stands out in that category when compared to others in the class.

“Yeah, he can see it,” said lead recruiter Terry Smith when asked if Martin can contribute in 2024. “Think about this: in reality, at some point, we used three running backs this year. You could see him being that type of guy. He’s a better receiver than all the other guys. So now, you can create a package where he starts in the slot, maybe motions over and you can do some creative things.

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“He gives you the flexibility of dotting the I or lining up in the slot, throwing him quick screens or running routes. It becomes a matchup problem. So yeah, I can see him [getting on the field]. As much as he can learn, [we’ll give him] as much as we can give him.”

With that said, Martin’s best is still to come. Early feedback following his January enrollment is that Martin is a bit more raw than some expected, but sources have also been quick to point out that in some ways, that’s a good thing. Athletically, he brings a lot to the table, and that’ll make his progress during spring ball one of the key storylines.

“They’re recruiting me 100 percent as a running back,” Martin said earlier this year. “But I also have no doubt that once I get up there and start practicing, they’re going to move me around and be diverse with me. They’re going to give me a little bit on defense, a little bit on offense. I’m hoping that happens, but I’m OK with what happens either way. I’m just all for doing whatever I need to do to help the team and get on the field.”