Akron transfer safety KJ Martin commits to NC State

The Pack adds some veteran help from the MAC.

NC State added some important depth to the safety spot on Wednesday with the commitment of Akron graduate transfer KJ Martin, who is on campus for a visit. Martin, who began his career at West Virginia, was recruited there by State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. He’s a grad transfer with one year of eligibility left.

Martin made an impact early in his WVU career but did not play during the 2020 COVID season, didn’t see much action in 2021, and then zipped on over to Akron. In two seasons there, he made 18 starts.

In 2023, Martin totaled 45 tackles and a sack, with six pass break-ups and two interceptions. The season prior, he racked up 53 tackles including three TFL, and picked off one pass.

With Devan Boykin recovering from an ACL injury suffered in December and Sean Brown making the move to linebacker, State needed to add more experience to the back end of its defense, and Martin should slide right into the two-deep.