NEW YORK — Penn State running back Quinton Martin Jr. is in the same boat as many other Nittany Lions.

He isn’t quite sure what’s next, and his future could look a lot different as early as later this week when the transfer portal opens on Friday, Jan. 2.

After 2024, when he played in six games as a true freshman, Martin did not see his first carry of the season until Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl.

With the absences of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, Martin made the most of his audition, perhaps to both his current team and others, in a 22-10 win over Clemson at Yankee Stadium.

Martin had 20 carries for 101 rushing yards.

“I didn’t think I was going to get 20 carries,” he said.

Martin was supposed to spell Corey Smith, who started in the backfield, but Smith managed just 17 yards on nine carries.

Martin became the workhorse for the day, and he did it behind a patchwork offensive line that had only one starter playing in Anthony Donkoh.

“We didn’t have the two running backs that have run for all the yards we’ve had, and he stepped right in and we didn’t miss a beat,” PSU interim coach Terry Smith said.

Many players commented how well Martin got downhill, which was a key for the day.

“You kind of saw a glimpse of what he is as a player,” quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer said. “He’s a shifty guy. He’s really good in space. When we needed 5 yards today, he was going to get them for us.”

That’s not to say it wasn’t a struggle for Martin to sit the bench most of the season.

He said there were times where he “got into my head” while not seeing the time that he had a year ago. He was also one that took it hard when James Franklin was fired.

“What kept us together was our family bond and our brotherhood,” Martin said.

The transfer portal is open for just two weeks so quick decisions are necessary, but Martin wasn’t ready to share any of his plans and said he needs to weigh his options with his family.

He also said he did not get to meet personally with incoming head coach Matt Campbell, although he was present for the new coach’s first team meeting.

Martin, a product of Belle Vernon, said he enjoyed the recruiting process out of high school and the attention that came with it.

“Now that I’m going into my junior year,” he said, “I feel like I have to be more serious about it.”