Packed portal intel: NC State locks in official visit with priority transfer
NC State took a patient approach to this transfer cycle. Next week, the Wolfpack’s portal activities are going to heat up quickly.
Former Akron and West Virginia safety Kerry Martin Jr. will officially visit NC State May 7-9, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday. The senior defensive back has one season of eligibility remaining after starting his collegiate career in 2019.
He is the first visitor to lock in his mid-week trip to the Pack, but more transfers could join the list in the coming days.
Martin recorded 45 total tackles as a senior with Akron, finishing the year with 2 interceptions, 6 pass breakups and a sack. The defensive back played the majority of his snaps at free safety but lined up all over the Zips’ formation, playing 588 total snaps.
Wolfpack defensive coordinator Tony Gibson played a significant part in Martin’s high school recruitment to West Virginia. The safety enrolled Jan. 2019, just weeks before Gibson departed for Raleigh. They’re both from West Virginia, and he still thinks very highly of the NC State coordinator— one of the main reasons why he is interested in visiting next week.
When asked about a potential reunion in Raleigh, Martin said he views the Wolfpack offer as a chance to finish what they started in Morgantown.
“Loyalty means a lot more than some other things,” Martin told TheWolfpacker.com. “Relationships are definitely important.”
Notably, former Wolfpack cornerback Derrek Pitts Jr. is Martin’s cousin.
UCF has been in contact with the defensive back, while Buffalo, Florida A&M, Maine and Youngstown State have also offered. His trip to Raleigh next week is his only scheduled official visit right now.
Martin’s college career started at an electric pace. He recorded 50 total tackles and 5 defended passes as a true freshman, starting 4 of the final 6 games. The first year defensive back matched up against NC State in week 3 of the 2019 season, and he recorded 5 solo tackles and a defended pass.
Pro Football Focus named him a third team freshman All American. He did not play during the 2020 Covid-shortened season before appearing in 3 games and entering the transfer portal in 2021.
After transferring to Akron, he started 18 contests over the next two seasons. He recorded a career-high 53 total tackles and intercepted 1 pass in 2022. The senior followed that up with his standout senior that ended in All-MAC third team recognition.
He entered the transfer portal in January. On3 ranked him as the No. 42 safety in the transfer portal with an 87 rating.
NC State has four open scholarships to work with in the spring transfer portal. Safety is a priority position as the program looks to add depth to a position group that includes senior Bishop Fitzgerald and incoming Auburn graduate transfer Donovan Kaufman.
The post Packed portal intel: NC State locks in official visit with priority transfer appeared first on On3.
