The Cardinal Countdown: 45 Days Until Kickoff

#45 Duane Martin

Class: Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-2/247

Position: Tight End

Hometown: Laurens, SC

Twitter: @Ballin_kid28

Thoughts: One of the sleeper positions for the Cards the last 5-7 years, in my opinion, has been the tight end spot. With generational talent at QB and some studs on defense, wideout, O-line, etc it’s easy to gloss over a spot who has churned out some solid production a better part of the last decade. Going back to 2013 we had Mr. Irrelevant Gerald Christian, Keith Towbridge, Cole Hikutini, Charles Standberry, Micky Crum, and now Marshon Ford. A few of these guys went on to play in the league but even the ones who didn’t I felt were great contributors to the offense. So sitting here in 2021 we know we still have my man “Captain” Marshon leading the charge, but who are the guys coming up behind him? I believe one of those guys is Duane Martin.

While I already touched on a couple other potential candidates to fill that spot I like what Martin brings to the table. Joining the squad last season but still considered a freshman, Martin saw action in a few games and actually made some nice plays both as a receiver and blocking in open space. The staff trusted him enough to put him in that spot last year after a Ford injury and out of spring it sounds like they trust him enough to be in that position behind Marshon and Isaac Martin again. In high school he played the majority of his time at fullback but also knocked some heads at linebacker, so he’s not shy about contact and will bully ball some folks across the field if necessary. The hands could use a little work as he had some “dropsies” last year in limited play but if they put him at H-Back (expectation) maybe he’s more of a run you over and snag a few balls in the flats kind of guy vs. a Hikutini or Christian type tight end, and that’s fine with me. Ford developed into a weapon out of that position, but typically those guys are just looking to bloody noses and creates lanes. I have a feeling Martin enjoy’s both.

Sweet Tweet:

Okaaaay Mr. Martin. Nice little pocket square, shoe game on point, and hit ‘em with the “oops missed that top button” look. I can dig the style. Poor Coach Liner didn’t know what was coming when he was rollin’ in with a zipped up Under Armor coat. Got to keep it fly on these streets, coach.

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#45 Seth Pugh

Class: Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-2/185

Position: Defensive Back

Hometown: Pikeville, KY

Twitter: @seth2pugh

Thoughts: Seth joined the Cards as a preferred walk-on after helping lead his Pikeville High squad to a 2019 Class A State Championship. Playing a little corner and a little wideout Seth finished 2019 second on his team in receiving yardage but will likely look to get some time with the Cards on the defensive side of the ball.

Seth didn’t see any action last year and it appears after spring the majority of his reps in 2021 may also be on the practice squad, but as we’ve seen before these guys have a shot every day to prove they belong in the rotation. Best of luck to Seth this year as he continues to contribute to the success and reemergence of the team.

Sweet Tweet:

Check out Seth showing off those J-E-T-S jets, jets, jets. My man looks like he was shot out of a gun and went “pugh, pugh” right past them fools. (See what I did there)