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Martin represents Troy in Senior Bowl

Staff

Published Friday, December 5, 2008

Photo by Matt Nascone

Sherrod Martin, 6, gets in on the action last week in the Trojans’ 48-3 over Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns.

Whether the Troy Trojans win or lose Saturday they will be done playing football by the end of December, but one Trojan will suit up for one more game in January.

Senior Sherrod Martin has been invited to participate in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl Jan. 24, 2009 in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

“It is a good feeling and I am glad I get a chance to participate in such a great game,” Martin said.

But for Martin this is not just another all-star game this is his first ever all-star game at any level of football.

“I have never played in an all-star game in football,” Martin said. “I am just glad to get the opportunity. It feels great.”

Martin is ready to show the NFL coaches and scouts what he can do in Mobile and he said the experience should be an exciting one. He is ready to represent his school.

“When I go out there I represent Troy University, as well as myself, my hometown and my family,” Martin said.

Martin said his family would get to see him play in front of the NFL coaches and scouts, as Mobile is traveling distance from Griffin, Ga.

“I am enthused and excited about the opportunity,” Martin said.

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney believes Martin will impress some people during the game.

“They couldn’t have picked a better man than Sherrod Martin,” Blakeney said. “He certainly fits in with the array of talent that they will have there.”

Martin will play corner in the game and Blakeney said that is to get a picture of what Martin can do at corner since he is the Trojans’ starting free safety.

“He has played corner here some and he is nimble enough to be a cover guy,” Blakeney said. “The pros like guys who are good tacklers, but can defend at the same time. This will be a great opportunity for him to display that.”

The Senior Bowl has been a good selling point for Troy, with Leodis McKelvin, DeMarcus Ware and Thomas Olmsted, all from Troy, being selected to participate since 2005.

“We definitely sell it to recruits,” Blakeney said. “If you come here, do the right things, work hard, go to school, work toward a degree and work toward that other goal that goes right with it to the NFL you will have a chance to go there.”

Through 11 games, Martin has 80 total tackles and four interceptions with seven pass breakups and one quarterback hit.

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