The Penn State football program completed its spring practice schedule Saturday afternoon with annual Blue-White Game competition. The intrasquad scrimmage structure provided a look at largely "live" action our most extended glimpse so far at this 2024 Nittany Lions squad.
A 27-0 victory for Team White featured some standout moments across the field, but we focused on a pair of specific performances for Lions247 MVP honors. Our staff selected freshman running back Quinton Martin on offense following his two-touchdown performance and fifth-year senior defensive end Amin Vanover after he secured an interception and a sack.
"The work I've put in is just starting to show," Vanover said afterward. "I put in extra time during the offseason, even this spring, just waking up early, doing extra work on my own. It's all starting to pay off."
The 6-foot-4, 262-pound lineman warranted an unsolicited shout-out from James Franklin during the head coach's postgame press conference.
"I think he's going to have a huge year for us," Franklin said. "And he's a guy that, in my opinion, has done it the right way. It hasn't always been easy for him or us. His journey has been challenging at times. And he's really stuck it out and just got better and better and better and better. I think he's going to have a really good year. Really proud of what he's done."
Last season, Vanover ranked fifth among positional peers with 145 total defensive snaps while limited to eight games. 2023 starters Adisa Isaac and Chop Robinson have moved onto the NFL, meaning are plenty of opportunities in a talented room.
"In our room, it's next man up," Vanover said. "Adisa and Chop were different, as we all know. Those are my big brothers. But the hunger is there regardless whether they're here or not."
Working alongside a collection of edge rushers that includes a former five-star prospect in junior Dani Dennis-Sutton, converted All-Big Ten linebacker Abdul Carter, fellow fifth-year veteran Zuriah Fisher and emerging sophomore Jameial Lyons, Vanover is confident about what lies ahead for the unit.
"We were the best D-line in the country last year for a reason," he said. "That ain't gonna change."
Vanover enjoyed picking up his sack, which was one of four total for Team White, but his interception of freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer stood out due to its rarity.
"I don't often get opportunities to catch an interception, but when I do, just know I'm gonna catch it," he said with a wide smile.
Over on offense, there weren't exactly any "star" performances. QB Drew Allar completed 15 of 32 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown while dealing with wind gusts, lead running backs Kaytron Allen (injury) and Nick Singleton (rest) were observers, while receiver Harrison Wallace (five receptions for 72 yards) was the most productive pass target, by far.
So we gave our Offensive MVP nod to the player who had the biggest impact on the scoreboard. Martin, who enrolled in January following early graduation from Belle Vernon (Pa.) High School, scored the first two touchdowns of the afternoon.
He reached the end zone on runs of 12 and nine yards. It was a highly efficient effort considering those were his two carries for Team White, representing a quality final statement for an incomplete spring camp.
"He had some bumps and bruises so he missed a decent amount of time this spring, so I don't have a true evaluation," Franklin said. "What I will tell you is he's an awesome dude. He's learned the offense really well. I think he's got really good vision. But I think between now and West Virginia, he's got a lot of work to do and I think he'll do it."
The 6-1, 194-pound Martin was a Top247 talent in the last recruiting cycle and a long-term in-state target for Penn State.
"Growing up I watched them a lot," he told 247Sports after committing to the Nittany Lions. "My mom always watched them. My whole family always watched them. So I grew up watching Penn State football. I think what put a nail on it was watching Saquon Barkley play and how he just thrived, how he ran hard. Just watching him play, I was like, 'Oh, I want to do that. I want to do something like he did.'"
Martin is competing with redshirt freshmen Cam Wallace (seven carries for 36 yards) and London Montgomery (five carries for eight yards) for the No. 3 running back job behind Allen and Singleton, who are each strong candidates to depart for the 2025 NFL Draft next winter.
"I think he'll have a chance to be competing in that rotation in training camp," Franklin said. "... I would've liked to see more out of him (this spring), but I do think with the foundation that's been laid with him will allow him to make significant progress in summer and be able to go into training camp and legitimately compete."
Regarding that competition, Allar said on Saturday that Martin and Wallace "did some really good things in spring when they had their opportunities"
Fellow QB Beau Pribula also offered his perspective on Martin after the Blue-White Game.
"As an early enrollee, he's really impressive," Pribula said. "Obviously you guys saw what he could do today, but off the field I think he's mature for his age, just being a high school student. He's kind of mature beyond his years so far, so that's exciting to see. Come fall camp and come the season, having that maturity will really help him."
"He's a natural," receiver Kaden Saunders added on Martin.
Penn State's next practice session will wait until early August, when 2024 kickoff will be only weeks away. Martin and Vanover are two of many Nittany Lions who aim to maintain positive momentum come preseason camp.