Within the last week both of Marshall’s featured running backs during the 2011 season have left the program. Travon Van announced he was transferring to Montana and on Monday it was learned that Tron Martinez had been medically disqualified.
Martinez had been redshirted for the 2012 season following a pair of knee surgeries in the offseason.
Martinez battled through injuries in 2011 and willed his way to 649 yards on 160 carries and three touchdowns. All spring and summer long coaches held out hope the Martinez would be able to return from the injury but with a deep stable of running backs the decision to redshirt Martinez and let the injury heal was not a gut wrenching one.
The news around Martinez’s departure started to swirl Monday afternoon when the junior running back sent out a pair of ambiguous tweets. Martinez tweeted:
“I’m crushed,” and “no more football at marshall.”
Later it was revealed he would not be medically cleared to play for Marshall again.
Most assuredly, Martinez did not expect the 2011 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl to be the final time he would suit up for The Herd. Martinez rushed for 58 yards on 16 carries in Marshall’s 20-10 win over FIU.
Marshall will honor his scholarship as long as he is enrolled at the university.