Michigan State Football: Keshawn Martin pushing for Lions’ KR/PR role
Former Michigan State football star Keshawn Martin is pushing for the starting kick/punt returner role for the Detroit Lions.
Keshawn Martin is entering his sixth year in the NFL and the former Michigan State football star looked like he’d be doing so as a member of a practice squad. His hometown Detroit Lions signed him this offseason, likely to fill the camp roster, and he’s done much more than that during fall camp.
Must Read: MSU Football: Top 5 position battles to watch this fall
Just a few weeks in and the former Spartan receiver is already impressing with his punt and kick return ability.
In fact, he and Jamal Agnew are the only two players in camp currently doing kick returns. That means that he has made such an impact that he’s pushed a two-man race for a job that he was never supposed to win in the first place.
Right now it's only Jamal Agnew and Keshawn Martin doing kick returns
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) August 4, 2017
No, Keshawn isn’t the fastest guy on the field, but his consistent play in the return game is what gives him a real shot. He already has NFL experience with kick and punt returns and he’s shifty, elusive and has solid field vision.
Over his career, Martin has 94 total punt returns for 858 yards and a touchdown as well as 80 kick returns for 2,001 yards and no scores, but a long of 75 yards. He’s a guy who can set the Lions up with good field position, if given the chance.
Next: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for August
Martin graduated from Michigan State following the 2012 season and the Houston Texans held on to him for three years. He’s made stops in New England and San Francisco since and has 62 career catches for 685 yards and five scores. He could soon make the Lions’ 53-man roster.