NEW YORK — Quinton Martin posing for a photo next to Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton after the Pinstripe Bowl was a fleeting moment that felt significant.
Singleton and Allen, the record-setting duo that powered Penn State’s offense the last four years, were there as spectators, wearing sweatpants and letterman jackets. Martin, meanwhile, was there to take their place.
Martin, the promising second-year running back, waited two years for a moment like Saturday. He waited two seasons behind Allen and Singleton, biding his time for a chance to shine. And he took full advantage of it at Yankee Stadium.
With a potential transfer portal decision looming, Martin made his case to take the mantle as Penn State’s RB1 of the future. The redshirt freshman, after not recording a single carry in the regular season, rushed for 101 yards on 20 attempts in the 22-10 victory over Clemson.
Martin called it “an honor” to have the performance he had in front of Singleton, Allen and a pro-Penn State crowd — a performance those fans hope will be one of many.
“I’ve been waiting two years behind Nick and Kaytron,” Martin said. “I learned a lot from them. They showed me a lot about the game, what you need to be able to play at this level. The night I had tonight meant a lot to me. And I’m very grateful for it.”
“Q’s an extremely talented young man,” interim coach Terry Smith added. “I’m super proud of him. … He stepped right in, and we didn’t miss a beat.”
Martin always had this kind of potential. The former Belle Vernon standout arrived at Penn State as a top-100 recruit. When he joined Penn State alongside Corey Smith, Allen and Singleton were entering their junior seasons. Opportunities were going to be scarce. But no one expected both veterans to return for another title shot in 2025.
That forced Martin to sit and learn longer than many anticipated. After logging 13 carries in garbage time as a true freshman, he appeared in seven games this season with zero attempts. While Allen and Singleton combined for 1,852 yards and 28 touchdowns — breaking program rushing records in the process — Martin watched from the bench.
Martin said that was “definitely tough at times” and admitted to letting it get to his head. To get through it, he talked with his family and decided to use it as “the biggest motivator.”
Martin looked plenty motivated on Saturday. Smith got the start, but No. 25 proved to be the bellcow back. Martin broke a 21-yard run in the first half and grew into the game from there, moving the chains and helping Penn State ice the game.
“You kind of saw a glimpse of what he is as a player,” quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer said.
But now everyone — not just new head coach Matt Campbell and his coaching staff — saw what Martin can do. Every team looking for a running back in the transfer portal saw that Martin, who has three years of eligibility remaining, has what it takes to be a lead back.
There’s a lot up in the air with the portal opening on Jan. 2.
Much like Grunkemeyer situation, Campbell has a decision to make. Iowa State tailback and All-Big 12 honoree Carson Hansen has announced his intentions to enter the portal. It would make sense for Campbell to want to bring in Hansen, a rising senior who amassed 1,926 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons with the Cyclones.
Maybe Martin’s performance on Saturday was convincing enough for Penn State to prioritize keeping him. Or maybe Martin’s Pinstripe Bowl showcase was enough to command an even better situation elsewhere.
Running backs coach Stan Drayton leaving for South Carolina makes things “tricky,” Martin said. He likes Campbell and the culture he’s bringing to Happy Valley. But as of the Pinstripe Bowl, Martin hasn’t had a one-on-one meeting with the new coach. That will surely change.
Martin added that Terry Smith, a Pittsburgh native who helped recruit him out of Belle Vernon, staying on staff is “for sure” a factor in his impending decision. Martin likened Smith to an uncle and called him “family.”
When asked what’s most important to him when deciding where he’ll play in 2026 and beyond, Martin said: “Family. Trust. And I want to win. I want a program that wants to win.”
“I’m going to talk to my family, weigh my options and see where the Lord takes me,” he added.
Saturday was Martin’s chance to finally step out of Allen and Singleton’s shadow. We’ll see if he continues to do that at Penn State or elsewhere in 2026 and beyond.