One might see Reed Martin in and around Plum this summer working for a landscaping business.

One also might see him on any one of several biking trails at Boyce Park.

Still, he occasionally can be spotted on the football field at Plum High School booming kicks and punts.

Directly or indirectly, the Plum graduate and rising junior on the Edinboro football team is putting his body and mind through its paces as he gets ready for a return to the Fighting Scots in August.

Martin hopes his 2023 season can live up to or even exceed all of the accomplishments from a 2022 campaign which concluded with Division II first-team All-American punting honors.

“I was definitely pretty excited when I heard about that, knowing all the time and practice I put in,” said Martin, who, during his junior season at Plum in 2019, tied former Mustang Jake Chapla for the longest field goal in program history at 51 yards.

“When you are working out in the preseason and in practice during the season, you are just focused on getting better for yourself and for your team. You don’t look that far down the road at things like awards. But it was pretty cool to know that the things I was able to do got noticed. I felt accomplished.”

Martin’s 2022 punting numbers were impressive to say the least and caught the eye of the selection committee of the American Football Coaches Association, which honored him with the All-American status.

The only member of the first team from the PSAC West, Martin led the conference with an average of 42.8 yards per punt.

It was the ninth best mark in Division II.

Twenty of his 53 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. His 77-yard punt against Slippery Rock now is the second longest in program history.

Martin, with his size, strength and quickness, wasn’t afraid to be the center of attention on a fake punt as he executed three of four fakes for first downs, running with the ball twice and also completing a 21-yard pass.

“A lot of practice went into (the punting success), and I also worked in the weight room on getting bigger and stronger,” said Martin, who also handles the kickoff duties for the Fighting Scots.

“I was just more confident out there last season. I believed in myself and my abilities. Technique and form can only get you so far. I want to make sure I always have that leg strength and power.”

Martin was a Swiss Army knife of sorts at Plum as he never left the field and held a variety of jobs on offense, defense and special teams. That came into play when he was recruited before and during his senior season in 2020.

“I came (to Edinboro) as a slot receiver and punter. An ‘athlete’ is what I was recruited as,” Martin said.

“My first week of football camp, they moved me to safety. (Head) coach (Jake) Nulph said that he wanted me to be a punter after watching my high school film. He said he had a lot of ideas with me as far as fakes. He has a lot of football knowledge, and can write up some plays for fake punts.”

Martin also settled into his role on defense at safety. He made 32 tackles and recorded an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as a freshman in 2021.

He came back last fall and collected 40 tackles and an interception.

Martin’s defensive prowess can come into play during his kicks and punts.

“Usually on a punt, it’s a fair catch or my guys get down there in time to make a play,” Martin said.

But on kickoffs, Martin has made his fair share of stops.

“Coach Nulph always reminds me that I am the 11th player, and I have to be ready to make a play if needed,” he said.

“Once it’s kicked, I have that defensive mindset.”

Could Martin be seen on offense?

“I am mostly a defensive player now, but I wouldn’t be upset if they threw me in on offense for a play or two,” Martin said. “We have some really good skill guys on offense, but if it would be something that could help the team get a win, I am all for it.”

Nulph said that whatever Martin does for the Edinboro football team, he gives the ultimate amount of effort.

“He is a great kid, a great teammate and someone who is helping lead the charge to help the program improve on the field,” Nulph said.

“He is such a throwback football player. He doesn’t say too much. But if you tell him to do something, he doesn’t question it. He just does the task as hard as he can. He’s always trying to get better.

“He was an All-American punter, and he does things in the kicking game that other people can’t do. He can kick it and also be a dynamic threat back there as an athlete. He also played every defensive snap for us. We refer to him as a weapon that gives us a great chance to win football games.”

Wins are what Martin hopes to see more often in 2023.

Edinboro went 5-6 overall last year and was 2-5 in PSAC games. The Fighting Scots pushed Slippery Rock to the limit in a 28-21 loss the week before topping Lock Haven, 26-13, in their home and regular-season finale.

“We built a little more last year, and I feel that we’re going to continue to come on strong,” Martin said.

“We have a lot of talent coming back and coming into the program. I feel pretty excited for our future. If everyone does their part for the team, I think we can be in position to play for a PSAC championship.”

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