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West Virginia football: 5 breakout candidates for 2021 season

By Phil Poling

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Larry Rountree III #34 of the Missouri Tigers rushes against safety Kerry Martin Jr. #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 07: Running back Larry Rountree III #34 of the Missouri Tigers rushes against safety Kerry Martin Jr. #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

877. Scouting Report. player. Kerry Martin Jr.. 1. Pick Analysis. S. Sophomore

Much like Charles Woods, Kerry Martin Jr. spent the 2020 season away from the football field, albeit for a different reason. Martin Jr. opted out due to COVID-19, but started four games and played in 11 as a true freshman in 2019.

In those contests, the Charleston, W.Va., native tallied 50 tackles (38 solo), three pass deflections, and 2.5 tackles for loss. He’s yet to snag an interception, though, but with safety Tykee Smith transferring to Georgia, Martin Jr. could see an expanded role moving forward.

For head coach Neal Brown, Martin Jr. is another home-grown product that will likely see meaningful snaps in 2021. He’s got some stiff competition, though, with veterans like Alonzo Addae, Nicktroy Fortune, Sean Mahone, and Scottie Young patrolling the secondary. Throw in Woods and Jackie Matthews and the Mountaineers’ secondary has a ton of options.

Competition breeds success, though, so all that talent should help push Martin Jr. to become a household name.

Next. Heisman Trophy front-runners from the Big 12. dark

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