Sean Martin Only Knows One Way to Lead WVU Defense

Originally posted on WV Sports Now | By Mike Asti | Last updated 4/9/24

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Rewind a year around this same time and Sean Martin was being cast into a role as the new leader of the WVU defensive line to fill the void left by Dante Stills. Now back to the present day and Martin feels being a leader hasn’t changed who he is as a person.

Like Stills, Martin represents West Virginia as a native son of the state. But unlike Stills, Martin is quiet and shy. Martin leads only by example and explained how that’s just something his coaches and teammates get used to while speaking with the media after a spring practice.

Martin said the fact that he isn’t a vocal leader hasn’t been an issue and he makes sure younger players learn from him without having to verbalize anything to them. The Bluefield, W.Va. native always added in a comment about helping his less experienced teammates whenever talking about what he’s doing or what he needs to work on.

“Coaching up the younger guys who just got in. Just teach them the ways. Teach them technique,” explained Martin when asked about his main focus for the spring.

WVU DL Sean Martin says he’s always been a quiet guy and hasn’t found the fact he leads by example an issue as far as him being a leader on defense, especially over last year plus.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) April 2, 2024

And as for what exactly he does think he has to work own himself, Martin gave a similar answer that also connects to his teammates. “I’m just trying to work on being wide, just trying to get each other better,” offered Martin.

But regardless of his demeanor, WVU head coach Neal Brown knew Martin could handle the responsibility of being a leader. This is what Brown said about Martin when projecting him as someone he expected to step up last March.

“Sean Martin’s played a bunch of football. He’s as talented as anyone we have. And my expectation is his production is going to match his talent, maybe even exceed that this year. But he’s also one of the best people we have in our program,” said Brown of Martin.

Watch the full press conference from WVU defensive lineman Sean Martin below.