Is a former Belle Vernon prep star ready to claim Penn State’s No. 3 RB job in the fall?

There is more to Penn State’s running back room than returning 1,000-yard rushers Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton.

A few of the Nittany Lions’ younger backs represent the future of the position.

And the future could involve the next player on PennLive’s list of Penn State’s players to watch coming out of spring.

Quinton Martin Jr.

Background: Martin was a four-star signee in James Franklin’s 2024 class and a standout at Belle Vernon. During his final two prep seasons, Martin scored a combined 55 touchdowns rushing and receiving.

2024: The 6-1, 205-pound Martin appeared in six games and was able to redshirt. He carried 13 times for 32 yards and caught three passes for 18 yards.

How Martin fits: It will be an interesting competition for the No. 3 running back job behind standouts Allen and Singleton. Martin is a prime contender but the Lions will also take a long look at classmate Corey Smith, redshirt sophomore Cam Wallace and January enrollee Tikey Hayes. The No. 3 job is a bigger deal than maybe some fans realize, considering both Allen and Singleton are gone after this season.

Quotable: “Everybody knows we’re going to play three running backs. So, there’s a battle for that third running back. I also think last year, we had two guys (Martin and Smith) we were trying to redshirt, if we could. Those guys now have obviously been through that. “So, not only are they competing to be that third running back, but they also need to have a huge impact on special teams.” — Penn State’s James Franklin on the No. 3 running back competition.

Penn State players to watch post-Spring

Audavion Collins

Randy Adirika

J’ven Williams

Owen Aliciene

Daryus Dixson

Jaxon Smolik

Tikey Hayes

Lyrick Samuel

Kenny Woseley Jr.

Tyseer Denmark

TJ Shanahan Jr.

Elliot Washington II

Andrew Rappleyea

Alonzo Ford Jr.