4-star LB Daniel Martin chooses long-term plan with Vanderbilt

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Marietta (Ga.) linebacker Daniel Martin chose the 40-year plan of Vanderbilt.

Martin stepped to the national stage at the All-American Bowl and announced his college commitment to the Commodores on Saturday.

Martin is the No. 258 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings for the class of 2022.

Vanderbilt’s academic allure was hard for Martin to pass on.

“It was really about having a talk with my parents about it (NFL) not being for everybody,” Martin said. “Everyone can’t make it. Anything can happen. Anybody can get hurt. Anything can happen to me. I just want to be sure that if I don’t make it to the next league, I’ll still be making over six figures.”

Vanderbilt’s plan of building for within sold Daniel Martin

Martin knew Vanderbilt was home when he took his official visit. The Commodores’ head coach Clark Lea has preached adding better talent from the high school ranks and developing it over the course of their college career.

“He kept it 100 with me,” Martin said. “He told me they’re not taking any transfers. They’re trying to build a great program where it’s raised from how they want their players to be.”

Lea impressed Martin with his attention to detail about recruiting Martin’s family as well.

“He’s just an all-around family man,” Martin said. “He’s always checking on my family, my mom, my granddad, my grandma, everybody.”

The Vanderbilt coaching staff has also chimed in to help recruit Martin. He hasn’t exclusively dealt with one coach throughout his recruiting process. Martin has been in contact with everyone on the Vanderbilt coaching staff.

“It’s not just one coach calling me,” Martin said. “The offensive line coach called me the other day to let me know one of our players is coming down. The defensive coordinator is always talking to me. It was a great feeling. They’re making me feel wanted… They know what they’re doing. They’re recruiting really well right now.

Martin has already signed with the Commodores and will enroll in classes after the All American Bowl.

Martin hopes to have an early role in Nashville. He expects to play a hybrid linebacker and safety role for the Commodore defense.

“It’s great knowing that I’ll be ahead of some players and going out there to get a starting position as well as getting on top of the school work so I’m won’t have a lot of classes during the school year,” Martin said.