Penn State signs top-rated player from Pennsylvania for 3rd year in a row

Dec. 20—Quinton Martin Jr. followed in the footsteps of Nick Singleton and J’ven Williams on Wednesday and became the third straight top-rated recruit from Pennsylvania to land with Penn State on Signing Day.

Martin, a running back and receiver from PIAA Class 3A champion Belle Vernon, and Wyomissing lineman Caleb Brewer were two of 25 high school seniors to sign letters of intent with the Nittany Lions, including eight from Pennsylvania.

Penn State coach James Franklin would like to make it four in a row in a year. Singleton, the former Gov. Mifflin star, began the run two years ago, followed last year by Williams, Brewer’s former teammate at Wyomissing.

“All these players have a responsibility to help us sign the No. 1 player in the state next year as well,” Franklin said. “We take a lot of pride in that. I’m a big believer that it’s a win-win for everybody. The best players need to stay in Pennsylvania and they need to come to Penn State.”

The 6-1, 185-pound Martin, a four-star prospect, picked Penn State over Ohio State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia. He rushed for 1,181 yards and 16 touchdowns this season and caught 53 passes for 764 yards and 11 TDs. He finished his career with 3,787 rushing yards and 77 TDs.

He led Belle Vernon to back-to-back state titles.

“Quinton really was low maintenance,” Franklin said. “He and his family and his support system have been awesome. He committed to us and never wavered. He didn’t flirt with other schools. He totally shut it down.

“He really has done extremely well academically. He’s just been awesome.”

Martin is one of two running backs in Penn State’s recruiting class, which was ranked 15th by 247Sports and 16th by On3. The other back is four-star prospect Corey Smith of Waukesha, Wis., one of three players from Wisconsin who signed with the Lions.

The 5-10, 175-pound Smith led…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-signs-top-rated-044800226.html

Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.

Publish date : 2023-12-21 04:48:00

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