Chandler Martin is not shy about making bold decisions.
Martin began his collegiate career at East Tennessee State and quickly proved he was one of the most talented linebackers in the FCS. Two years ago, Martin opted to transfer to the FBS, and he instantly proved he belonged at that level while at Memphis.
Martin ended up becoming a Group of Five All-American and a two-time All-AAC selection. He was a defensive stalwart for the Tigers, who were one of the best teams in the G5 during his time there.
Now Martin has decided to forego his final year of eligibility in college and declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Will that choice end up being the right one as well?
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Chandler Martin NFL Draft Projection In 2025
I project Chandler Martin will be drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
I believe Martin clearly has the talent to compete at the next level. Although he didn’t receive an invite to the NFL Combine, I expect many teams will strongly consider taking him on Day 3 of the draft.
Chandler Martin’s Height & Weight
Martin was listed at 6-foot, 230 pounds during his final year at Memphis.
Chandler Martin’s Stats & Highlights
Chandler Martin was one of the best linebackers in the AAC over the last couple of years.
He made the all-conference first team in 2024. Martin recorded 111 tackles, which was second in the AAC and in the top 30 in the country, while adding 16 tackles for loss, which put him among the top 20 in the FBS. He was also second in the conference and in the top 50 in the nation with seven sacks.
On the year, he also added five passes defended, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception.
In 2023, Martin was also fantastic. He was second in the AAC and 17th in the FBS with 17 TFLs while ranking 18th in the country with 5.1 solo tackles per game. He was sixth in the conference with 95 total tackles.
That year, Martin added two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, as well as four passes defended, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He shined at the end of the season, setting Memphis’ bowl record and a Liberty Bowl record with five TFLs in the Tigers’ win over Iowa State.
Martin played in 14 games over two seasons at East Tennessee State. In 2022, his final season there, he paced his team with 99 tackles while chalking up 9.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. A year before, he recorded three tackles and a TFL in four games.
Where Is Memphis LB Chandler Martin From?
Martin is from Lithonia, Georgia, and played at Arabia Mountain High School before going to East Tennessee State.
Chandler Martin’s NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Chandler Martin’s game are comparable to Patrick Queen. I don’t think Martin is guaranteed to earn a Pro Bowl nod, but they are of similar size and are both extremely aggressive players.
Martin was tied for the lead among FBS linebackers who played at least 470 snaps in 2024 with 34 quarterback pressures and was tied for second with eight sacks. He was second in the country with 68 defensive stops which were constituted as failures for the offense.
In Pro Football Focus’ grades, Martin was 16th among linebackers for overall defense and was tied for 26th for both run defense and pass coverage. Martin allowed 31 catches for 274 yards on 39 targets.
Martin is a sound tackler. He’s also relentless in how he tracks down ball carriers, no matter how far away they may be. He also is capable of fighting through blocks and has a solid swim move he relies on when he’s pressuring quarterbacks.
Martin is a talented player and would be a valuable addition for an NFL team if he falls to the later rounds of the draft.
