Interview: 5-Star 2017 Virginia Kicker Tommy Martin Setting Visits Ahead of Vegas Camp

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Opportunities for special teams players can be rare, especially for field goal kickers, putting a greater emphasis on showcasing one’s abilities on the field of play whenever possible. Outside of game action and kicking in practice or during warmups, competitive kicking camps have been a go-to for college coaches seeking the next top talent to help put points on the board and win college football games with their powerful leg.

One Class of 2017 recruit ready to take advantage of the next big opportunity at one of the premiere kicking camps in the nation is Tommy Martin.

Opportunities for Martin to showcase his abilities as a field goal kicker in game action has been limited over the past two seasons nailing a 21-yarder as a junior and hitting a 33- and 40-yarder during his senior season. His kickoffs sailed into the end zone for a touchback 75 percent of the time limiting the opposition’s chance to advance their field position beyond the 20 yard line during the 2016 season.

One area where Hickory High School was able to use Martin during their 2-8 campaign in 2016 was moving the ball downfield on punts. Martin punted 19 times covering 722 yards using directional kicking to help limit returns while sporting a 4.4 second hang time average. In fact, with Martin’s punting and the Hawks’ cover skills, the opposition only had a 1.2 net yard per return average in 2016. Martin had a best of 63 yards in 2016 with a top hang time of 5.05 seconds.

Where Martin has been able to shine consistently kicking field goals is at kicking camps, so much so top kicking guru Chris Sailer has him as a five-star talent ranked No. 23 in the nation. Sailer also has Martin as a five-star punter ranked No. 3 in the country.

The 6-0, 185 pound, talent is taking advantage of another opportunity to prove he is among the best in his class traveling from Chesapeake (VA) to Las Vegas (NV) this weekend to compete in another event signing up for Sailer’s Vegas XXIX camp. The four-year varsity player for the Hawks will take a load of confidence with him having earned second team All-State, first team All-City, and first team All-Tidewater as punter in 2015 and first team All-Conference, first team All-Region, and first team All-State in 2016.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Martin covering his senior season, off-season workouts, and got a preview on his goals for the Chris Sailer camp.

Interview

Tommy, during your junior season in addition to your kicking duties you played some receiver and safety. Did you play safety and wide receiver again during your senior season?

“For the first four games I was only kicking and punting. About Game 5 through the end of season I played some receiver and some at safety.”

Which areas of your kicking game improved during your senior year?

“I was 2-for-2 kicking. The ones I did I make, I made them count. I did not get many chances. With my punting, I did a lot of left and right directional punting. I worked on it over the summer and I improved on my hang time so coverage can get down there. On my kickoffs, I think it was at 75 percent on touchbacks. I was pleased with that.”

What was your longest field goal this season?

“40-yards.”

Your longest punt was a 74-yarder at a Chris Sailer kicking camp, have you topped your personal best?

“I think my season long was around 63-yards.”

What have you been working on so far this off-season?

“My dad (Tom) and I have gone out a couple of times a week working on punting and kickoffs. I’m working on getting my hang time and distance better on punts. I’m trying to balance it out. With punting, a lot of directional punts, working on form, and technique with the camps coming up.”

Are you heading to Las Vegas for the upcoming Chris Sailer kicking camp?

“Yes.”

Which events are you competing in during the camp?

“I’ll do kickoffs, field goals, and punt.”

Beyond winning out, what are you goals at the camp?

“I do want to come in and win. Last year I won. I am the defending punt champ. I want to keep that. I want a good performance to highlight myself with college coaches. Last year in Vegas I did not perform the way wanted in Vegas. I want to do all three really well this time around.”

I know you have offers from James Madison and Mercer, do you have any other offers?

“This past weekend I received offers from the Naval Academy and Air Force.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest but have not offered you yet?

“Virginia Tech has given me a preferred walk-on offer and UNC (North Carolina) has given me a preferred walk-on offer. UNC really wants me to come down there to be part of their program. I could earn a chance for a scholarship during my sophomore or junior year. Virginia Tech really wants me too. Their punter and kicker will be seniors next year. I could start my sophomore year at Virginia Tech.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the season?

“I took three unofficial visits to Virginia Tech, one to UNC, and one to Georgia.”

Have you taken any official visits yet?

“No.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I think I will reach out to Navy and Air Force to get an official visit scheduled with them after the camp.”

What are you looking for in a school? What will influence your final decision on where you go for college?

“The football program and the academics. I want a school that has a good academic program. That is big for my parents. My parents are really high on that. I also want to find a place where I am comfortable for four years without my family.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.65 GPA.”

What is your top score on the ACT or SAT?

“I got an 1100 on the SAT.”

Nice. Are you going to play any spring sports for Hickory?

“I’m not sure yet. My parents and I are talking about it. I’m thinking about soccer. I have played soccer for the past three years. I’ll keep training even if I play.”

For fun, is there a message to competitors at Sailer’s camp you would like to get out there?

“I’ve been training really hard, especially punting wise. It will be a good event. A lot of top guys there. It will be good as always.”

Tommy, thanks for your time today and good luck at the camp.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: recruit757.com; Tommy Martin punting.

Photo credit: Martin family; Tommy Martin at Virginia Tech

Photo credit: Martin family; Tommy Martin with Chris Sailer