Sherrod Martin | Troy, CB : 2009 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile

Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 8/24/08: #18 FS, #337/750 Overall, Projected Rnd: FA
2008: All-American honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report...All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection...Started all thirteen games at free safety, helping the team lead the league in total defense (327.46 ypg), scoring defense (21.31 ppg), pass defense (124.47 ypg) and passing efficiency defense (107.39 rating; 17th in the nation)...Finished second on the team with a career-high 94 tackles (61 solos), adding two quarterback pressures...Deflected seven passes and ranked fourth in the Sun Belt with four interceptions for 44 yards in returns...Also blocked one kick...Martin started 37 of 46 games at Troy; 31 at free safety and six at nickel back...Ranks 14th overall in school annals with 292 total tackles, topped only by Derrick Ansley (305, 2000-04) among Trojans defensive backs...Placed 10th overall with 191 solo tackles, topping Ansley's previous school record for defensive backs (186)...2007: 10 GP; 6 GS; 36 Sol-52 TT, 9 TFL, 3 SK, 3 QBH, 1 FR, 6 FF; Honorable Mention All--Sun Belt. Returned after redshirting in 2006 to be an integral part of the Troy defense in 2007 � After seeing little, or no, playing time in the first four games (partly due to broken bones in hand suffered in the Florida game), to be the Trojans leading tackler over the last eight games ... Not surprisingly, Troy's opponents' scoring average dropped from 39.75 ppg to 12.6 with Martin's return to the lineup ... In just eight games, had a team-high nine tackles for loss and forced a team-high six fumbles ... Was Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against North Texas (11 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks)...2006: Received medical redshirt after having surgery on both shoulders prior to spring practice...2005: 11 GP; 11 GS; 54 Sol-78 TT, 5 TFL, 1 SK, 2 INT, 11 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 1 FF; Finished second on the squad in total tackles despite playing most of the year with two damaged shoulders � Finished the year with 78 total tackles, including 54 solo stops � Was credited with five tackles for loss, including one sack � Forced one fumble during the year and recovered another � Recorded two interceptions and 11 pass breakups and was credited with one quarterback hurry... 2004: 12 GP; 12 GS; 41 Sol-68 TT, 4.5 TFL, 3 INT, 5 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 2 FF, 1 BLK; After starting the season in a reserve and special teams role, worked his way into the starting lineup for the second half of the season.

Post-Draft Outlook: A closer look at the Panthers' picks: Round 2/59 -- Sherrod Martin, CB, 6-1, 198, Troy...The Panthers needed a replacement for Ken Lucas and view Martin as a good fit in Ron Meeks' new defensive scheme. He will open up as the nickel back playing behind starters Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall, who is also a former second-round pick. - by The Sports Xchange