Redshirt sophomore linebacker Nick Martin went from 15 tackles last season to 140. He and new defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo credit Martin’s work ethic.

STILLWATER — In the offseason, before Bryan Nardo’s family had moved here with him, the new Oklahoma State defensive coordinator saw something impressive as he roamed the football facility.

“In the defensive room, in the middle of the summer. There’s Nick Martin, on a random Tuesday, in there by himself,” Nardo recalled.

That, Nardo said, explains Martin’s rise as one of the Big 12’s best defenders. Martin finished the year with a conference-high 140 tackles — 25 more than UCF linebacker Jason Johnson, the runner-up.

Martin, a redshirt sophomore linebacker, averaged 10 tackles and made 17 each against Kansas State and West Virginia. He had seven tackles in Houston against Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

“I think it’s a testament to how good God is,” Martin said. “How he always rewards hard work. It’s a testament to this whole season, for all of us.”

Martin’s 140 tackles are the most by a Cowboy in a season since 1979. It puts him No. 6 on OSU’s single-season tackling list and ahead of linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez’s 123 tackles in 2021.

“Unbelievable, 140 tackles,” coach Mike Gundy said. “How about that? We didn’t think anybody would ever touch Rodriguez.”

Martin had just 15 tackles in 13 games last season. When he surprised Nardo in the film room last summer, Martin wasn’t even a starter. He entered the season listed as a depth chart “or” with Tulsa transfer Justin Wright. 

When Wright suffered a season-ending leg injury early in the year, Martin took on more workload. Martin played 930 snaps according to Pro Football Focus. That was third most of any Cowboy.

“The physical part can be tough,” Martin said. “Playing this many games in a season can take a toll on your body. But that’s where the mental part comes in. How bad do you want it?” 

Nardo said he’s coached only one other player with a work ethic to match Martin: Jace McDown, a three-year captain linebacker at Emporia State who was the leading tackler in the MIAA over his final three seasons. McDown graduated in 2022 with a 3.99 GPA and is now the linebackers coach at Emporia State.

“(Martin) is gifted,” Nardo said. “He’s a great football player, but his hard work has put him in those positions.” 

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