The Devy Digest, Freshman Friday’s – featuring Penn State RB Quinton Martin.
- Quinton Martin
- Position: Running Back
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- 6’2” 205 lbs
- Draft Eligible: 2027
- Devy Digest Freshman RB Rank: 1
Who is Quinton Martin?
Quinton Martin was a 4⭐️ in the composite and categorized as an athlete who attended Belle Vernon High in Pennsylvania. Martin was a dual sport athlete, also playing Varsity basketball as a point guard. Martin held 20 offers and made a dozen visits to Penn State. He would sign his letter of intent with Penn State and will be classified as a running back. Martin was labeled an athlete due to him lining up as a wide receiver, in the backfield, playing quarterback, as well as some defense as well.
As a receiver, Martin tracks the ball well. He has good technique for a natural running back. As a runner, Martin runs with good vision and quick acceleration. He is a fluid mover, elusive at the first level with the ability to make a defender miss in a phone booth. Martin possesses enough strength to run through contact. When he gets to the second level, he has the quickness to get to the edge. Martin shows good contact balance. He’s a shifty runner who prefers to get downhill versus dancing around too much once he finds his lane. Martin shows little wasted movement and has the physicality and play strength we like to see while maintaining good contact balance. Martin shows enough speed for the position, but his long speed is still a question needing to be answered.
Pathway to Success
Quinton Martin projects to be the RB3 at Penn State, behind Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen for 2024. For us, that is a positive. Martin will be able to learn the position from two players that are on the upper echelon as far as talent goes at the position. It will allow him the time to get into the strength and conditioning program.
With that said, Martin should find his way on the field when Penn State is winning against mismatched opponents. Should an injury arise to the aforementioned Singleton and Allen, Martin should be able to adequately fill in. He is the next man up once those two leave, as 2024 will be their true Junior season.
Penn State likes to run the ball and it is conceivable that he can get a few carries per game when they hit conference play. Martin also brings versatility as a receiver. That could have him find his way onto the field as a third down back to spell Singleton and Allen.
Areas for Improvements & Concerns
Quinton Martin does run a little upright; and when he braces for contact, his pad levels are a little high. This is mainly due to him being on the field for everything, without a centralized coaching opportunity where he can focus on lowering his pads. We expect this to get fixed at his time with Penn State.
A player’s long speed can be overrated, but it is something I want to see in Martin. He brings quick acceleration and burst to get to the second level; but I do want to see that long speed – that breakaway speed to take it to the house. It’s not necessary, but it is something I wanted to mention for those interested in the prospect.
Devy & C2C Value
In Devy drafts, I can see Quentin Martin going in the first round. Running backs while devalued, still hold an important position for some managers. Typically, there is a robust RB manager in every league.
In C2C supplemental drafts, Martin should be in consideration towards the back half of the 1st, all the way through the 2nd round. The running back group as a whole lack top-end talent but there is a good amount of guys that given the chance, can make an impact.
The position does carry a little more volatility than most, but we only need a good season to enhance the value for the asset. The running back landscape is in flux at all levels right now; and it’s easy to recommend drafters go WR for the first round and then play the second round by ear. This is a great group of talented wide receivers and if you miss out on Martin, you can just keep plucking away at WR and try to address the RB position in another way.
I can see robust RB players lean into Martin as he offers the size, production, and hands. It’s all the things you look for in a potential high caliber college RB. Martin beats the threshold we like as well, averaging over 7 yards per carry. And typically, that does translate to the college level.
I won’t start to look at RBs until the 3rd round of drafts, and based on that, I probably won’t have many shares of Martin. In startups, he’ll probably go around the 6th-10th round range as an early projection.
NFL Outlook
Quinton Martin reminds me of Tony Pollard – and we’ve seen Penn State running backs garner some draft capital. Martin is capable in the receiving game and brings enough elusiveness that could play well at the next level. More teams are implementing a 1A-1B method, and that could prolong his NFL potential and value as an all-around back. The position has been devalued as a whole, but projecting, I could see Day 2 capital for Martin in the NFL draft.
Andy Pham
Andy is the creator of the Devy Digest. His passion is devy and C2C. Andy's Devy Diguest articles provide insightful, yet thoughtful commentary to give you a leg up on the devy prospects so you know how to approach your devy and C2C drafts. With The Devy Digest podcast, Andy provides episodes of interesting and exciting topics and when he invites guests, you get to be a fly on the wall, listening in on two people having a conversation where they give you a different perspective. Come, join the journey that is Andy's Devy Digest.