Belle Vernon's Quinton Martin, other Penn State freshmen likely to redshirt this season

James Franklin and Penn State signed one of the best 2024 recruiting classes in the country a little less than a year ago, thanks in part to a collection of Pennsylvania’s top talent.

Penn State inked eight of the highest-rated in-state prospects during last year’s signing period. Now, they’re true freshmen with the Nittany Lions, and some have already made an impact.

Let’s take a closer look at those former PA prep stars: who they are, what they’ve done through 10 games this season and what they might provide the Nittany Lions in the future.

Reminder: Freshmen are able to appear in up to four regular season games while still maintaining their redshirts. Postseason games do not count toward the four-game limit.

Cooper Cousins, OL, McDowell: Cousins, through his work on the practice field and in the weight room, established himself as a freshman who would not be redshirted. The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder has played in every game, contributing in jumbo sets and on special teams. Cousins has played both guard spots. But with veteran right guard Sal Wormely and center Nick Dawkins running out of eligibility, Cousins could start at either position in 2025.

Quinton Martin, RB, Belle Vernon: Martin has played in three games, and Penn State wants to redshirt him. With Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton ahead of him on the depth chart — and fellow freshman Corey Smith in the mix — that shouldn’t be a problem. Franklin said Monday that practice will determine whether it’s Martin or Smith as the No. 3 tailback at Minnesota. If Singleton and Allen leave for the NFL, Martin will compete with Smith and Cam Wallace, this year’s No. 3 who suffered a long-term injury, for the top job in 2025.

Tyseer Denmark, WR, Imhotep: Denmark is one to keep an eye on, both as a receiver and a punt returner. Denmark has played in two games; he can play these next two with no redshirt repercussions. Denmark, who didn’t enroll until the summer, quickly became one of the buzzier names in preseason camp. And with so much up in the air at receiver for 2025 — transfer portal, etc. — he will have a chance now to gain positive momentum.

Kenny Woseley, CB, Imhotep: Woseley, Denmark’s high school teammate, could also get some run in these final two games. Woseley has played in three games. Against Purdue, he racked up a season-high 14 defensive snaps and recorded three tackles.

Anthony Speca, LB, Central Catholic: Penn State has kept its linebacker rotation tight with Kobe King, Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca dominating the snap shares. Speca, who has flashed in three appearances, could help alleviate the stress on those veterans. But if Penn State is going to redshirt him, he can play in only one more regular season game.

Peter Gonzalez, WR, Central Catholic: Gonzalez suffered what Franklin described as a “long-term” injury during preseason camp, which is unfortunate for the big-bodied receiver who overcame injury concerns to earn a Penn State offer during the recruiting process.

Caleb Brewer, OL, Wyomissing: Brewer, like Williams, has not played and arrived on campus as a developmental prospect. Brewer, who is listed at 6-4, 288 pounds, needs to get a bit bigger this offseason. The Wyomissing product also needs to improve in pass protection.

Mylachi Williams, DE, Monsignor Bonner: Williams, who has not played yet this year, was not expected to make an immediate impact in a group featuring Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Williams also showed up on the injury report for the first two games of the season. But Williams could factor in next fall with departures expected at defensive end.