CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When Capital’s Kerry Martin signed his letter-of-intent Tuesday to play football at West Virginia University, he did so as the only state native on scholarship in the 2019 recruiting class.
Martin, who will finish high school Friday, is then set to enroll at WVU on January 5 as he begins to prepare for life at the next level.
“Even if I wasn’t graduating early, I would’ve signed now, just because I’m committed and didn’t plan on flipping to any other school,” Martin said.
A standout quarterback for the Cougars and a Class AAA first-team all-state selection each of the last two seasons, Martin (6-2, 195) is projected to play cornerback at WVU.
While he spent more time behind center at Capital than he did playing defense, Martin saw action at cornerback each of his last three high school seasons and earned the first-team all-state honors as a defender this year.
“This past year, they were down corners and they had three scholarship corners,” Martin said. “In the Big 12, you know how that goes. They felt they needed more defensive backs to play and withstand throughout games.”
Ironically enough, the Charleston native has not been a lifelong Mountaineer fan.
“I really didn’t grow up watching WVU football like that,” Martin said. “I watched Pat White and Steve Slaton when they were there and then watched more when Geno Smith came around.
“But I grew up watching Alabama and that was my dream school. But recruiting is built off building relationships and what school fits your style of playing. I felt very comfortable with the staff’s plan and coming in as an early enrollee.”
Martin is also hopeful that enrolling early will enhance of chances of being an early contributor.
“It’ll help me learn the game, the change of speed and the defensive installation,” Martin said. “Two to three months in the summer is not enough time to play as a true freshman and that’s what I want to do. It’ll help me reach my goal.”