Alabama’s new punter is entering the program with a lot of confidence, and fans need to be ready for it.
Jack Martin, a transfer from Troy University, made first-team All-Sun Belt in 2020.
He totaled 1,153 yards on 25 punts and averaged 46.1 yards per attempt. Thirteen of his punts were not returned, and Martin also dropped 13 kicks inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
He had eight 50+ yard punts, including his longest attempt going 66 yards. A native of Dothan, Ala., Martin takes pride in limiting return specialists from creating big plays. Last week, he was featured on In My Own Words with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
Martin views punting as a way of helping the defense, and he said Alabama provides him a great opportunity to show his skill set. The Tide has three other punters; however, Martin has some lofty goals for himself in the fall.
*Jack Martin, Alabama’s new punter, talks about his personal goals at the 24:46 mark
“I want to win a national championship and put the team in the best position to win,” Martin said. “For myself, personally, I don’t like to get off into all the awards. I believe just going out there and having fun is what does it for people, but if you could say for myself, just making first-team All-SEC punter and become a Ray Guy Award finalist. The goal for every punter is to win the Ray Guy, so that is what you aim for. I am also trying to get to the NFL. That’s everyone’s goal, and it is my goal.”
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JK Scott was Alabama’s most recent finalist for the Ray Guy honor. He earned recognition as a freshman in 2014.
Despite his success, Scott never captured the award. This is a huge chance for Martin to become a fan favorite. Alabama has benefited from having talented players transfer into the program, and Martin is the latest name.
It will be fun to see if he can obtain the starting job and flip the field in the Crimson Tide’s favor.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
