Penn State RB makes physical change during offseason

Penn State is holding an open competition for the starting running back job after the first two slots on the depth chart were vacated by program legends Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Carson Hansen, Quinton Martin Jr., and James Peoples are the likely candidates to win those spots, with the second player in that group being the most promising.

A four-star recruit out of high school, Martin Jr. is arguably the most talented of the bunch, but he’s struggled to maintain a solid weight since joining the Nittany Lions. He went into this offseason with an intense focus on gaining and holding himself at a steady weight, and he finally seems to have made good on that front.

Penn State released updated measurements for the football team yesterday, and Martin Jr. weighed in at 212 pounds. That is an 8-pound increase since the start of the year, and it should help him stay healthy and endure the punishment that he’ll take from defenses. Even if he doesn’t earn one of the two open spots this year, Martin Jr. has shown a level of commitment and dedication that should serve him well in the coming years.

Matt Campbell seems keen to reward loyalty, so the redshirt sophomore running back could cash in on his patience in the near future.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State RB Quinton Martin Jr. makes notable change in offseason