Carlton Martial

Carlton Anthony Martial (born April 11, 1999) is an American former college football linebacker. He played for the Troy Trojans, where he became the NCAA's all time leader in total tackles. He began his career as a walk-on and was selected as a freshman All-American in 2018. He was also a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2021 and 2022.

Early life Martial was born in 1999, the son of football coach Philbert Martial. He played at the quarterback, cornerback, and running back positions as a youth player and also played basketball. He redshirted in 2017 and played at the middle linebacker position as a redshirt freshman in 2018. He tallied 76 tackles and helped the 2018 Troy Trojans to a 10–3 record and a victory in the Dollar General Bowl. He was also selected as a freshman All-American by USA Today and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

2019 season As a redshirt sophomore in 2019, Martial led the team with 126 tackles.

2020 season As a redshirt junior in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Martial was selected as a first-team pre-season All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also tallied a career-high 21 tackles, a sack and an interception against No. 11 Coastal Carolina. He was selected in August 2021 as the Sun Belt Conference preseason Defensive Player of the Year. In November 2021, he was also selected as a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy awarded each year to the most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.

2022 season In January 2022, having another year of eligibility remaining due to the COVID year, Martial announced that he would return to try for a fifth season. He began the 2022 season needing 104 tackles to break the NCAA Division I FBS record for most tackles in a career. On November 12, 2022, he had his 546th tackle to break the prior record of 545 tackles set by Tim McGarigle of Northwestern.

College statistics

Professional career Hamilton Tiger-Cats On May 14, 2023, Martial signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). On June 3, 2023, Martial was released by the Tiger-Cats during final roster cuts.