Carlton Martial: 5 things to know about the Troy University football linebacker

Montgomery Advertiser

Carlton Martial made an impact during his first two seasons playing for the Troy Trojans football team.

Playing linebacker, he racked up more than 200 tackles through his first two seasons. Those numbers earned Martial national recognition. This coming from a player that came to Troy as a walk-on.

Here is some basic info about Martial:

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 216 pounds
Age: 21 years old (Birthday: April 11, 1999)
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama
High School: McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama

Here are five more things to know about Carlton Martial.

Carlton Martial joined Troy football as a walk-on

Troy linebacker Carlton Martial in the Coastal Carolina game on Nov. 2, 2019, at James C. Benton Field at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C.

Carlton Martial spent the 2017 season, his first at Troy, as a walk-on. He redshirted that season.

Former Troy football head coach Neal Brown said in 2018 that Martial does not have "prototypical size or speed" for a middle linebacker, "but all he does is make plays."

Brown put Martial on scholarship just before the start of the 2018 season.

"If you look back at that young man's history, he has achieved," former Troy defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said in 2018.

In 2018, Martial recorded 76 total tackles (33 solo, 43 assisted) as a redshirt freshman. Martial also had three sacks and three forced fumbles. It earned him a spot on the 2018 Football Writers Association of America's Freshman All-America Team.

Troy went 10-3 overall and 7-1 in the Sun Belt Conference in 2018.

Carlton Martial 2019 stats

Appalachian State wide receiver Thomas Hennigan (5) is stopped by Troy linebacker Carlton Martial (2) and safety TJ Harris (8) in first half action on the Troy campus in Troy, Ala., on Friday, November 29, 2019.

Carlton Martial put up big statistics in 2019 as a sophomore, and he helped Troy go 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Troy linebacker recorded 126 tackles — 69 solo and 57 assisted tackles. He recorded double-digit tackles in seven games.

Martial also logged four sacks — three solo and two assisted.

He earned 2019 All-Sun Belt Conference First Team honors at linebacker.

Carlton Martial 64-yard interception return for touchdown vs. Texas State

With eight seconds left, Carlton Martial entered the end zone for a touchdown against Texas State. He turned an interception — his second of the game — into a 64-yard touchdown return.

Martial's play cemented a 63-27 win at Texas State on Nov. 16, 2019.

It gave Martial his only touchdown through his first two seasons as a Troy Trojan.

Carlton Martial named 2020 Preseason First-Team All-American

Appalachian State wide receiver Thomas Hennigan (5) catches a pass as Troy linebacker Carlton Martial (2) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

His strong sophomore season led to him earning 2020 Preseason First-Team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Martial was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Award watch list and The Dick Butkus Award watch list for 2020.

The Nagurski Award goes to the national college football defensive player of the year. The Butkus Award goes to the nation's top college football linebacker.

Carlton Martial's brother, Philbert, excelled in football at North Alabama

Carlton Martial's older brother Philbert started four years at Division II North Alabama from 2013-16. The 5-foot-10, 164-pound defensive back earned All-Gulf South Conference First-Team honors three times.

"We always compete with each other," Carlton Martial said in 2018. "I like to compare myself to him with everything I do, but I wouldn't say he's a better player. I wouldn't say I'm a better player. We're neck and neck."

Philbert Martial made the Division II All-America First Team in 2016 as he helped North Alabama reach the national title game, where it lost 29-3 to Northwest Missouri State.

Read more Carlton Martial news:

Carlton Martial:Already defensive star, might Troy Trojans' Carlton Martial try some offense?
2020 Preseason All-American:Troy's Carlton Martial isn't done after named 2020 Walter Camp preseason All-American
Dollar General Bowl:Carlton Martial welcomes Troy Trojans back to his hometown, but maybe not his home
Carlton Martial law:Former walk-on’s Troy debut may be as starting linebacker

Here is a link to the Carlton Martial bio on the Troy University website.

Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.