Well, Lions fans, you weren’t the only ones surprised that Western Kentucky defensive tackle Brodric Martin was selected by Detroit in the third round (No. 96 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Martin, who had received a late-round grade from a variety of pundits prior to the draft, was shocked himself when he heard his name called on Day 2.
In fact, at the time of being selected, he was in Tuscaloosa, Ala., preparing – along with his mother, Karen Martin – for a draft party for the following day.
“I knew I was going to get drafted. Just was thinking a little bit later than (where) I did,” Martin told reporters on Day 2 of rookie minicamp. “But, it was crazy. I was in the hotel where I was going to have my draft party at, and I was on the sixth floor, just grabbing something to eat. And then, I got the call from Coach (Dan) Campbell. He said, ‘Do you want to be a Lion?’ I said, ‘Yeah, yeah.’ I ran down six flights of stairs just to get down to the TV and to my mama.”
Lions general manager Brad Holmes dealt three picks to move up to acquire the small school product: a fourth-rounder (No. 122 overall) and two fifth-rounders (No. 139 overall and No. 168 overall).
Martin’s mom was ecstatic when she heard the news.
“I ain’t never seen my mama jump,” Brodric said. “My mama jumped at least this high above the ground (Brodric gestured with his hands), and hugged me. It’s probably the best feeling in the world.”
Martin, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound nose tackle, suited up for a total of five collegiate seasons, with the first three coming at North Alabama. He then transferred to Western Kentucky for his final two years.
While with the Hilltoppers, he amassed 62 total tackles, including six for loss, and four sacks.
Additionally, in his last season at Western Kentucky, he earned Conference USA honorable mention honors, and was selected to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Despite the solid college career Martin put together, fans and pundits alike view him as a developmental prospect and doubt his readiness to play right away at the next level.
Martin doesn't care one bit about the outside noise, though, and is looking forward to being a Day 1 contributor for Detroit.
“I want to play this year. I want to do this now,” the rookie defensive lineman expressed. “Although I came from a small school, I’m looking to play. There’s nothing about waiting that I want to do. I don’t want to wait to play. I want to play now. I want to be in Kansas City (for) the first game.”
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