We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 39 Jamar Martin
A two-way player (fullback and outside linebacker) at Canton McKinley, Martin led the Bulldogs to the state championship and perfect 14-0 record as a senior. The program was also named the No. 1 team in the country — and mythical national champions — by USA TODAY Sports.
FB Jamar Martin
1998-2001
b. April 12, 1980
- Team Captain (2001)
- Big Ten Champion (1998)
- Sugar Bowl Champion (1999)
The 5-foot-11, 245-pound Martin was a dominant fullback at Ohio State, opening holes for running backs Michael Wiley, Derek Combs and Jonathan Wells. He was named a team captain as a senior and finished his career with 61 carries for 226 yards and four rushing touchdowns and 22 receptions for 211 yards and two more scores in 47 games with the Buckeyes.
Martin was selected in the fourth round (129 overall pick) in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but suffered a torn ACL that derailed his rookie season. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets — as well as the Arena Football League’s New Orleans VooDoo and New York Dragons — before retiring from professional football in 2008.
Martin has since graduated from Ohio State with a degree in political science and received his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University in special education. He is now a married father of three who teaches English and social studies at Franklin Heights, where he’s also the defensive line coach.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
