Running backs coach Savon Huggins was a late addition to head coach Matt Campbell’s first staff at Penn State, joining the group in early January.
Through winter workouts and 10 spring practices, Huggins has gotten a feel for the talent in the room, which includes Iowa State transfer Carson Hansen, Ohio State transfer James Peoples and returning Nittany Lions Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace.
“I think the big thing when I first got hired, I can’t stress this enough, is getting to know these young men right before I can teach them about the plays and the scheme,” Huggins said. “You got to really get to know them, because I’m going to hold them accountable to a really, really high standard.”
Here’s what Huggins had to say about the four backs likely to see the most playing time this fall.
Carson Hansen
Though there was speculation Peoples or Martin would push for a starting role, Hansen has been taking first-team reps throughout practice and seems poised to become a third-year starter.
While Hansen is still listed at 220 pounds, the same weight he played at last season, the staff has noticed changes to his fitness level entering his senior season. Campbell said on Tuesday Hansen was “in the best shape of his life,” and Huggins reiterated that sentiment.
“You see his condition level increase, because I’m demanding it from him,” Huggins said. “And when Carson says he wants to do something, he’s going to take detailed notes about it, and he’ll go out there. And it’s encouraging to see the steps that he’s taken and his overall football IQ has enhanced from the time I’ve gotten here till now.”
Huggins complimented Hansen’s contact balance and vision, but said his biggest growth this offseason has come when running in the open field. Hansen has worked to manipulate angles, cutting back when defenders are pursuing from inside or outside angles to make tackles more difficult.
He toted the rock 361 times for 1,771 yards across three seasons with the Cyclones, but for all his success Hansen rarely generated explosive plays; only 20 of those runs went for 15-plus yards. For reference, Kaytron Allen — not known for generating explosives — totaled 49 such runs in four seasons.
James Peoples
Through two seasons as a Buckeye, Peoples totaled 110 carries for 541 yards and five touchdowns. The biggest strides for the former four-star recruit have come off the field, according to Huggins.
“I’ve seen him start to get more comfortable being around his teammates and just what he does off the field is starting to see come on the field. And I’m very encouraged by where he’s at right now through 10 practices. And most importantly, he’s having fun out there, which I think is, you know, we have fun. We should be doing this. So it’s encouraging to see that.”
Huggins is prioritizing open communication with the running backs, and he wants them each to be able to learn from one another but also evaluate their peers.
“Cam is gonna know what Carson’s gaps are, and Carson’s gonna know what Peoples’ gaps are, and everybody’s gonna know what their strengths are, too, as well,” Huggins said. “And I think being able to have that open line of communication allows for us all to grow together, because now we’re all vulnerable.”
Quinton Martin Jr.
Martin saw minimal playing time throughout his first two seasons before exploding in the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson with 20 carries for 103 yards. That performance alone sparked questions about his potential to step into a starting role in 2026, assuming Penn State could keep him from transferring.
When Martin returned and the staff brought in Hansen and Peoples, it would’ve been understandable for some friction to develop, but according to the staff, that hasn’t been the case. Though he’s not expected to start, Martin will likely see an uptick in snaps after making strides in his development this offseason.
“Quinton and I set up some goals for himself, really find out what he does well, what are his gaps? So that way we could really attack them,” Huggins said.
Huggins said Martin’s size was something they identified early. Standing at 6-foot-1, he’s on the taller side for the position but played last season at just 205 pounds. After making “better eating choices” he’s up to 215.
Cam Wallace
After initially entering the transfer portal, Wallace made the decision to return to Penn State in 2026. While the other three backs have drawn the most attention, Campbell lumped Wallace in with the group while speaking about the room on Tuesday.
During the team’s Saturday scrimmage, the Nittany Lion offense mustered just one touchdown against the defense, an inside zone run to the left that Wallace bounced outside for the score. According to Huggins, Wallace’s best ability has been availability.
“Let’s just be honest, if you ain’t available, then you’re no use to anybody, right?” Huggins said. “So I think he has made tremendous strides in his nutrition and his sleeping habits and the choices that he’s making when he’s not in the building because he cares. And the injury he had a couple years ago, for him to be where he’s at right now is a testament that he is tough.”
Huggins said Wallace has been “running behind his pads better” and is playing with more confidence. Additionally, he’s developing as a pass-catcher, a valuable trait that not everyone in the room has showcased.
Though the path to playing time this fall is narrow, Wallace may develop into a larger contributor in 2027.
