This Penn State Nittany Lions playmaker could leave the program following his breakout game.
The Penn State Nittany Lions were without their top two running backs during their win over the Clemson Tigers in the Pinstripe Bowl, as Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were both preparing for the NFL Draft.
That opened the door for redshirt freshman halfback Quinton Martin, who didn't register a carry all season long but managed to rack up 103 yards on 20 attempts against Clemson.
With Singleton and Allen both departing for the pros, Martin could have an opportunity to take center stage in Penn State's backfield next season, but that will also largely depend on new head coach Matt Campbell, who may prefer to bring in his own guys.
As for where that leaves Martin? The former four-star recruit could enter the transfer portal, but he is taking his time making his decision.
“I’m going to talk to my family, just weigh my options, and just see where the Lord takes me,” Martin said, via Joe Smeltzer of Nittany Sports Now.
Martin added that he has not had a one-on-one conversation with Campbell just yet but seems to like the new coach based on what he has seen thus far.
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Quinton Martin. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.“He’s a great guy,” Martin said. “We had a team meeting. I got the opportunity to listen to him speak, and I really like him. I like what he’s about. I like his culture, and I’m looking forward to speak with him.”
The transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16, so Martin will have to make his decision rather soon.
Had circumstances not unfolded the way they did at Penn State this year, with James Franklin being fired midseason, Martin would probably be in line to be the starting running back in 2026.
But that's just not the way things go sometimes, and now, Martin finds himself in a rather dicey situation.
Of course, there is a chance that Campbell really likes Martin and may have a plan to utilize him, but it also seems likely that Campbell will dip into the transfer portal himself and try to find other answers, which could include Carson Hansen, who Campbell coached at Iowa State.
Campbell will certainly have his work cut out for him as he enters his debut campaign in Happy Valley, and there is a possibility that Martin's breakout game this past weekend was also his swan song with the Nittany Lions.