Kansas State Wildcats lose another defensive football player to NCAA transfer portal
Another Kansas State football defender has decided to transfer and attempt to play immediately elsewhere next season.
Marvin Martin, a 6-foot and 191-pound defensive back who appeared in nine games for the Wildcats last season, announced on Thursday that he will hit the reset button on his college career after finishing up spring practice in Manhattan.
Most fans will remember Martin, a sophomore, for the touchdown he scored against West Virginia last season when he returned a blocked punt seven yards and then wildly celebrated with his teammates.
Martin produced for K-State on both defense and special teams last season, ending the year with five tackles.
Some thought he would take on a more meaningful role in K-State’s secondary next season. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman described Martin as a player who “flashed” talent throughout spring practice.
But a productive future at K-State is no longer in the cards.
His departure leaves K-State football coach Chris Klieman with another unexpected scholarship to use heading into the 2022 season.
Adding depth on defense will likely be one of his top priorities. The Wildcats have lost a handful of defenders to the NCAA transfer portal this month, as players look to beat the May 1 deadline for players to switch schools and remain eligible to play immediately next season.
A trio of linebackers (Gaven Haselhorst, Kienen Gaskin and Branden Jennings) all entered the transfer portal earlier this month. Those departures came after defenisve lineman Brayden Wood and defensive back Justin Gardner announced their exits earlier in the year.
This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Kansas State Wildcats lose another defensive football player to NCAA transfer portal."