STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the 20th pick of the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He joins teammates Justin Blackmon (fifth overall pick) and Brandon Weeden (22nd overall pick) as Cowboys selected in this year's NFL draft.
A first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and SI.com and a first-team all-Big 12 selection by the conference's coaches as a senior in 2011, Martin was the ringleader of a Cowboy defense that led the nation in turnovers forced and was second nationally in interceptions.
"There are so many people to thank," Martin said. "I thank the Oklahoma State alumni and community. I especially want to thank Shaun Lewis, Brodrick Brown, Daytawion Lowe and the rest of the OSU defense for trusting in me and I also want to thank Terry Henley and Amy Randolph in academics, Coach Mike Gundy, Coach Joe DeForest, Coach Jason Jones and Coach Glenn Spencer for helping me develop into the man that I am and giving me an opportunity to succeed not just in football but also in life."
Martin logged 74 tackles - 5.0 for loss - and had 11 pass break ups, two fumbles forced and one fumble recovered as a senior in 2011, helping lead Oklahoma State to its first-ever Big 12 championship and BCS bowl game appearance and victory.
Martin is the 15th Oklahoma State player to be chosen in the NFL Draft since Gundy took over as head coach in 2005.
"Markelle is going to be a really good NFL player," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "He's very intelligent and has been a good hitter for us. He can play two positions in the NFL because he's smart. He was a really good leader for us and you never have to worry about him getting into anything off the field. He should be a real good safety in the NFL."
For his career, Martin registered 178 tackles and 8.0 tackles for loss. He picked off three passes, broke up 36 passes, forced two fumbles and recovered one.
He saved three of his best career performances for the postseason, logging a then-career high nine tackles vs. Ole Miss in the 2009 Cotton Bowl, earning defensive MVP honors at the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl after making four tackles, breaking up two passes and returning an interception 62 yards for a score against Nick Foles and Arizona, then registering nine tackles vs. Andrew Luck and Stanford in the 2012 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys won both games.
Oklahoma State Draftees of the Mike Gundy Era (since 2005)
Year Rd. Ovrl. Player Pos. Team
2005 2 56 Darrent Williams CB Denver Broncos
2005 3 73 Vernand Morency RB Houston Texans
2005 7 249 Billy Bajema TE San Francisco 49ers
2006 6 199 Charlie Johnson T Indianapolis Colts
2007 4 132 Ryan McBean DE Pittsburgh Steelers
2007 6 209 Corey Hilliard OT New England Patriots
2009 1 20 Brandon Pettigrew TE Detroit Lions
2010 1 6 Russell Okung OL Seattle Seahawks
2010 1 24 Dez Bryant WR Dallas Cowboys
2010 5 137 Perrish Cox DB Denver Broncos
2010 7 250 Zac Robinson QB New England Patriots
2011 4 115 Kendall Hunter RB San Francisco 49ers
2012 1 5 Justin Blackmon WR Jacksonville Jaguars
2012 1 22 Brandon Weeden QB Cleveland Browns
2012 6 190 Markelle Martin S Tennessee Titans
