Markelle Martin

Markelle Martin (born June 20, 1990) is an American football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was considered one of the best safety prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Early years
Martin attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. He played both safety and wide receiver. As a senior he had 81 tackles and five interceptions. He was a first-team 4A all-state selection as a senior after leading Rider to a 12-2 record and was voted as his district’s defensive player of the year.

2008
As a freshman in 2008, Martin played in eleven games and had four tackles and broke up four passes. He broke up a pass and blocked a punt against Missouri State.

2009
As a sophomore in 2009 he started 11 games, missing two with an injury. He finished fifth on the team with 45 tackles, and second on the team with 11 pass break-ups. His most productive game of the season came in the Cotton Bowl with nine tackles and a pass break-up in the defense’s impressive outing against Ole Miss.

2010
As a junior in 2010, Martin started all 13 games of the season. He had 55 tackles, 10 pass break-ups, three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. The touchdown was a 62 yard return during the 2010 Alamo Bowl. He also recorded 4 tackles during the game and was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

Following the 2010 season, Martin was named the Nate Fleming Award winner. The award is given to Oklahoma State student-athletes who overcome struggles to excel both on the field and in the classroom.

2011
Martin again started all 13 contests of the season, finishing his career by starting in 37 straight contests. For the season, Martin had 74 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and one recovered. He was named as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist and earned All-Big 12 first team honors. He also was selected as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association.

Professional Career
Martin was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year deal with the Titans on May 18th, 2012.