Football | 5/12/2015 12:38:00 PM
Former Wayne State University running back
Desmond Martin (Redford, Mich. / Thurston) has been signed by the Detroit Lions following the rookie minicamp over the weekend.
Martin, who played in 48 career games from 2011-14 (after redshirting in 2010), finished fourth in all-time rushing with 2,791 yards, seventh in rushing touchdowns (24), and eighth in rushing attempts (510). He ranks third in average yards per carry (5.47) [min. 100 attempts] {only people ahead of him are Joique Bell and Vic Zucco (1953-54)}, 15th in total offense (2,791) and 16th in rushing yards per game (58.1). Martin finished his WSU career sixth in total offense per play (5.47) [min. 200 plays] behind four quarterbacks and Bell, tied-for-ninth in touchdowns scored (24), 12th in all-purpose yards (2,972), and tied-for-12th in scoring (144 points).
As a fifth-year senior in 2014, Martin was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team and was also named WSU's Offensive Most Valuable Player. A team captain, he was also the recipient of the
Serxho Guraleci/Ultimate Warrior award for outstanding work in the weight room. At the conclusion of the 2014 campaign, Martin was selected to the USA College Football All-America Second Team and was voted to the Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 4 Second Team. He became the first player in school history with back-to-back 200-yard games (Carson-Newman and Malone) and had three 200-yard games during the season among his seven 100-yard contests.
His single-season rushing yards total was the fourth highest for one year in school history, while his rushing touchdown total ranked sixth. Martin rushed for a game-high 90 yards in the Michigan Tech contest, then recorded game-high totals of 235 rushing yards and three touchdowns in win over No. 13 Carson-Newman to earn GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week (and WSU Offensive Player of the Week). He scored twice in the decisive fourth quarter vs. the Eagles. The following Saturday, Martin rushed for a game-high 200 yards and three touchdowns in win at Malone to earn WSU Offensive Player of the Week. He gained a game-high 118 yards vs. Northwood and had a rushing touchdown against Tiffin. Martin rushed for a game-high 135 yards and a score at Northern Michigan to earn WSU Offensive Player of the Week. He scored two touchdowns and recorded a game-high 148 yards on the ground vs. Walsh to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau for the season. Martin rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries at Findlay to earn his fourth WSU Offensive Player of the Week award for the season. He gained a career-high 292 yards on a career-best 39 rushing attempts with three touchdowns at Lake Erie to earn WSU Offensive Player of the Week. The 292 rushing yards was the fourth highest in Division II during 2014. Martin ranked seventh nationally in rushing yards per game (143.5), ninth in rushing yards (1,578), 15th in rushing touchdowns (16),19th in all-purpose yards per game (156.36) and 33rd in scoring (8.7 points per game). He scored at least one touchdown in eight games.
