He was selected by the Jets in the sixth round of the 1976 NFL draft after playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
[1] He attended David City High School, lettering in football, basketball, track, and golf.
[3] Martin was named first-team Central Ten All-Conference for three straight seasons in both football and basketball.
[2] He helped David City High win state titles in football and basketball his senior season as well.
[1] He started his college career as a running back on the freshman team before switching to defensive end later.
[12][4] He started the first five games of the season in 1977 and made one interception before being placed on injured reserve with a separated shoulder on October 25, 1977.