Kameron Martin is happy.
He is happy and busy with classes already at Auburn.
It was a long road to Auburn, Ala. for Martin. He first pledged to Baylor and was even signed with the Bears program until asking for his release after Art Briles was fired.
Martin then got a release from his National Letter of Intent and took a visit to Auburn and TCU. He chose Auburn.
“The coaching staff here has treated me so well,” Martin said. “They have shown me how I can play right away and shown me everything I have needed to see.”
The SEC Media Days held this week are proof Martin has a shot to play a significant role for the Tigers as a freshman.
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn praised Martin to reporters in the first day of the media days.
“When the opportunity presents itself of a guy you’ve already recruited before and you have a relationship with and you feel like he’d fit the offense, just thought it was a good match,” Malzahn said of Martin. “I think he’ll be a very good player. He fits our offense very well. He’s a guy that can really run, so we’re excited to have him. It’s a natural position and Kameron’s a smart young man too. I think he’ll help us this year.”
Auburn is about 600 miles away from Port Arthur. It will be the farthest Martin has been away from home.
“I won’t lie I was scared to leave the state of Texas,” Martin added. “I have never been this far away from Port Arthur and I told the Auburn coaches that. They told me that when I reach the NFL there is no telling the coaches for the Minnesota Vikings that I am scared to leave home. That really helped ease that worry.”
He was also straightforward with Auburn on his visit to the campus after his release from Baylor about his love for the Texas Longhorns. When the Longhorns did not show too much interest, Martin knew it was between Auburn and TCU.
“I told the coaches deep down inside Texas was my dream school,” Martin said. “Texas really didn’t show any love this time around. Auburn is a great fit. I really feel at home here.”
Martin has a good reason to expect playing team this year. Roc Thomas was expected to be the Tigers starting running back until he transferred to Jacksonville State in June. Thomas’ departure opened up a scholarship with the Tigers.
Thomas, a 2013 Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year in high school, rushed for 475 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons at Auburn.
“I just have to stay working hard and stay Kam Martin,” Martin added. “I am going to keep God first and the rest will take care of itself. I made sure the coaches know that if they give a kid like me a chance then I am going to take that chance and run with it.”
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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe