Doug Martin, a standout running back from Boise State and a seven-year NFL veteran, sadly passed away at the age of 36 this weekend.
Martin played for Boise State from 2007 to 2011, making a mark as one of the school’s best running backs. He earned first-team all-conference honors twice and remains among the top-10 in several career rushing stats: he ranks eighth in rushing yards with 3,431 and sixth in rushing touchdowns with 43. His impressive record includes 17 games with over 100 rushing yards, tied for fourth in school history.
His journey began after he redshirted his first year in 2007. Martin was part of a successful team that achieved top-10 rankings in the BCS from 2008 to 2011. During those years, Boise State won three conference titles and boasted a remarkable 50-3 overall record.
Born in Stockton, California, Martin joined Boise State the year after their famous 13-0 season in 2006, where they won the Fiesta Bowl. As a redshirt freshman in 2008, he contributed to the team’s success, finishing with a 12-1 record and a top-10 BCS ranking.
In 2009, he truly shined, rushing for 765 yards and leading the team with 15 touchdowns, helping the Broncos finish the season undefeated at 14-0. His junior and senior years were stellar as well, each time surpassing 1,000 rushing yards. In his junior year, he tallied 1,260 rushing yards and made significant contributions in the passing game, totaling 1,598 all-purpose yards, earning All-WAC First Team honors. During his senior year, he collected 1,299 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, finished ranked No. 7 in the BCS, and was named MVP of the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl.
In 2012, Martin began his NFL career when he was selected 31st overall in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making him the first Boise State running back to achieve this. As a rookie, he burst onto the scene, rushing for 1,454 yards and receiving recognition as a Pro Bowler and nominee for offensive rookie of the year.
His success continued; in 2015, he was named first-team All-Pro after an impressive season that included 1,402 rushing yards and over 1,600 total yards from scrimmage. Martin wrapped up his NFL career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018, where he recorded his third-highest rushing total of 723 yards.
Across 84 NFL games, Martin amassed a total of 5,356 rushing yards and scored 32 touchdowns, further solidifying his legacy in professional football.
His impact extends beyond the numbers; Martin inspired many young athletes, showing what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. His legacy will be remembered not just at Boise State but across the football community.
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