Conway’s Martin announces he’ll sign with Coastal Carolina

Jah’Maine Martin wasn’t going to let another school cross him off its list.

On Friday, the Conway running back called an audible and announced his intention to sign with Coastal Carolina. It came just four days after he said he was planning an official visit to Western Carolina for this weekend. However, after his initial statement, he said CCU coaches told him limited spots on the offensive side of the ball were filling up; either Martin was in now or he’d have to take his chances of a second offer being rescinded.

Last summer, an offer from Old Dominion was negated after Myrtle Beach tailback Brandon Sinclair verbally committed.

“I felt like that’s where I was meant to be,” Martin said. “When they said that, I thought about it for a couple days. I think it would be a better environment for me. … ODU was a great campus, a great atmosphere. But it happened. I’ll be at Coastal.”

Martin, who had also included The Citadel among his list of finalists, had offers from Army, South Carolina State, Alabama A&M, Gardner-Webb. NCAA coaches are not allowed to comment on a prospective student athlete, although it won’t be much longer until CCU’s Joe Moglia can do just that. Martin said he will officially commit on National Signing Day, Feb. 3.

It will complete a speedy recruiting process for a player who had basically no college interest and had never played offense before moving to the Conway area in 2014. Once he was in Tigers’ green and gold, he made an impact.

Martin rushed for 1,082 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season, helping the Tigers to a 9-3 overall record and a Class AAAA playoff berth. He was one of 88 selections statewide to the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl North vs. South game.

After moving into the area in 2014, he accumulated 1,132 yards and 11 scores during his junior season. In both years, the 5-foot-11, 203-pound back averaged more than seven yards per carry.

This story was originally published January 22, 2016 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Conway’s Martin announces he’ll sign with Coastal Carolina."