The Vols close out 2014 in style, adding Justin Martin to their 2015 recruiting class. PHOTO: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
The Vols ended 2014 with a bang on the recruiting trail, gaining a commitment on the last day of 2014 from one of their biggest remaining targets in the 2015 class.
Four-star junior-college cornerback Justin Martin chose the Vols Wednesday afternoon. The No. 1 JUCO cornerback in the 247Sports rankings chose the Vols over offers from LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, and many others.
Martin is a Nashville, TN native who at 6-2, 192 lbs. fits the mold of the large, physical corner that the Tennessee coaching staff wants. Martin played at Northeastern Oklahoma this past season, and he is the 26th overall commitment and 4th defensive back commitment in the 2015 class for the Vols, joining Micah Abernathy, Stephen Griffin, and Darrell Miller.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis left LSU for Texas A&M Wednesday morning, and his decision is already making ripples across the SEC. Martin was considered an LSU lean heading down the stretch in his recruitment, but Chavis’s departure made him think twice about his decision.
Justin Martin’s addition to Tennessee’s 2015 class cannot be understated. He brings superb speed and athleticism, and his size and length should translate well to the SEC where more and more teams have big, powerful receivers.
Just a day after missing out on middle Tennessee cornerback Ugo Amadi, the Vols added a middle Tennessee native to their class, one rated higher in every recruiting service at that. The Vols end 2014 on a high note in recruiting, and they have a chance to add even more quality players with a little more than a month remaining until National Signing Day.