NEW ORLEANS – Carlton Martial was a shining star at the Sun Belt’s recent media day.
Yet, the Sun Belt Conference’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year arrived at Troy as a walk-on in 2017.
Mention that to Martial, and the personable little linebacker’s face cracks into a proud grin.
“They gave me a shot,” Martial said while laughing, “and I just took it.”
Why not?
Overcoming size:Inside Carlton Martial's path from walk-on to Troy's record books
No other FBS program was willing to offer him a scholarship, so Martial decided pursue a Group of Five school less than three hours his from home in Mobile.