By Otis Kirk

Jacksonville 2021 defensive tackle Tyas Martin attended a Prospect Day at Arkansas on Jan. 26 and left Fayetteville impressed with what he saw.

Martin, 6-4, 320, talked about Arkansas and what he liked on his visit.

“It went good,” Martin said. “I met all the coaches. Mark Smith actually came up to the school before. It was real nice. I liked the facilties.”

Martin is hearing from Arkansas, UAPB, Southern Arkansas and others. More schools will start showing interest as Martin continues his final two years in high school. He’s working hard to show colleges what he can bring to a school.

Martin talked about what it would mean to him to get an offer from the Hogs.

“It would mean a lot to me and my family,” Martin said. “I kinda grew up following the Razorbacks. My grandmother loves the Razorbacks.”

What do you feel like you do well on the football field?

“I fill up gaps a lot because I’m so big,” Martin said. “Also my strength.”

He also talked about what he needs to work on the most.

“My pass rush technique and foot work,” Martin said. 

As a sophomore, Martin finished with 65 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a recovered one and two quarterback hurries. Those are good stats particularly for a sophomore on the varsity, but  Martin wants to do better.

“It was good,”  Martin said. “I could have done better, but it was good for my first time on the varsity.”

Martin finished second-team all-conference as a sophomore.

He plans to attend the OL-DL Camp at Arkansas on June 14. He has been invited to The Opening Combines as well as the Rivals Combines.