Oklahoma State University Athletics
Off-Season Growth Has Tay Martin Poised for Breakout Year
August 13, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – It was just a year ago at this time when Tay Martin was looking for a place to call home after making the decision to transfer from Washington State. Originally from Louisiana, he wanted to be closer to home during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a factor in his decision to enroll at OSU.
However, what he saw from Oklahoma State on the field was the confirmation he needed to make Stillwater his destination.
"It was the receiver production first and foremost," Martin said. "I also watched film on Spencer Sanders who I think is a great quarterback. I felt like it was a good fit for me and I think the proof is in the pudding with a lot of receivers who came here, produced and went on to have great careers. I didn't have a lot of time to make my decision, but it's definitely one I don't regret. We've had a lot of great receivers here in the past and I want to add my name to that same room."
The transition from Pullman, Washington, to Stillwater wasn't as easy as Martin would've liked it to be when he arrived at OSU before his senior year.
He was a dynamic receiver at Washington State for three seasons where he played in 39 games and started in 21 of them. His sophomore season saw him record 69 receptions for 685 yards and eight touchdowns, which he followed up with 43 receptions for 564 yards and four touchdowns as a junior.
However, having committed to Oklahoma State on Aug. 22 of 2020, he was a late addition to a wide receiver room that already consisted of All-American Tylan Wallace and the always-reliable Dillon Stoner, who are fifth and sixth respectively on the school's career pass receptions list. Along with having to learn a different playbook, Martin had to learn the ropes of being in a new program.
"I was too far behind, honestly, as far as the plays go," Martin said. "Everyone knows Mike Leach's playbook is kind of like five plays so with that translating over here it was different. It put me in a position where I had to study more and dial into the playbook. Once that happened I took off from there."
His takeoff happened in the Cheez-It Bowl against Miami where he caught six passes for 73 yards after taking the place of Tylan Wallace for the majority of the second half. Since then, there has been nothing but praise of Martin for his maturity on and off the field.
"He's a hell of a player," offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. "He's playing great for us right now in the spot taking over for Tylan. We wanted to get him into the second half of that Miami game to see where we were with him. When he first came in there was a little bit of 'Ah, I'm pretty good, just let me play. I can do whatever I want to do,' but he's bypassed that now and he is all in. He's hitting his routes the way we need him to hit them and catching the ball the way we need him to catch it. He's leading the other guys now, so it's been a full 180 and he's killing it."
Dunn and Martin have both given some credit to offseason conversations with Mike Gundy as a reason for his progress. The meetings put football aside for the most part and were focused on life in general, helping build a mutual trust and respect between the two.
"We talk all the time whether it's about my daughter and his kids or other normal conversations that can get me going," Martin said. "We're able to get to know each other more since I just met him this past year. It's a great relationship."
After his breakout performance in the bowl game, backed up with three years of production at Washington State, Martin had a chance to declare for the NFL draft and fulfill a lifelong dream. Yet, he chose to return to Oklahoma State for another season to boost his draft stock and take advantage of the opportunity to be the Cowboys' No. 1 option on the outside.
"I felt like I was leaving stuff on the table," Martin said "I have more to prove to the scouts and to my fans and everyone who watched me play. I want to take advantage of this extra season and make the most out of it."
According to his head coach, he has made the most out of his opportunity so far. Martin and Gundy have both said he is in the best shape of his life after his first offseason with strength and conditioning coach Rob Glass.
With a productive season in his final year at the college level, Martin has a more than likely shot at becoming the seventh OSU wide receiver to be drafted since 2010, putting him in company with the likes of Dez Bryant, James Washington. Tylan Wallace and more.
"He's going to give himself a chance to perform at a high level and make some money playing this game if he can stay focused and stay the course over these next four months," Gundy said. "He is considerably better than he was at this time last year because he's in great physical condition."
Martin and the Cowboys will begin their 2021 season on Sept 4 in Boone Pickens Stadium when they kick off at 6 p.m. against Missouri State. Fans can purchase 2021 Cowboy football season tickets by visiting okstate.com/ticketsor by calling or texting 877-ALL-4-OSU.
However, what he saw from Oklahoma State on the field was the confirmation he needed to make Stillwater his destination.
"It was the receiver production first and foremost," Martin said. "I also watched film on Spencer Sanders who I think is a great quarterback. I felt like it was a good fit for me and I think the proof is in the pudding with a lot of receivers who came here, produced and went on to have great careers. I didn't have a lot of time to make my decision, but it's definitely one I don't regret. We've had a lot of great receivers here in the past and I want to add my name to that same room."
The transition from Pullman, Washington, to Stillwater wasn't as easy as Martin would've liked it to be when he arrived at OSU before his senior year.
He was a dynamic receiver at Washington State for three seasons where he played in 39 games and started in 21 of them. His sophomore season saw him record 69 receptions for 685 yards and eight touchdowns, which he followed up with 43 receptions for 564 yards and four touchdowns as a junior.
However, having committed to Oklahoma State on Aug. 22 of 2020, he was a late addition to a wide receiver room that already consisted of All-American Tylan Wallace and the always-reliable Dillon Stoner, who are fifth and sixth respectively on the school's career pass receptions list. Along with having to learn a different playbook, Martin had to learn the ropes of being in a new program.
"I was too far behind, honestly, as far as the plays go," Martin said. "Everyone knows Mike Leach's playbook is kind of like five plays so with that translating over here it was different. It put me in a position where I had to study more and dial into the playbook. Once that happened I took off from there."
His takeoff happened in the Cheez-It Bowl against Miami where he caught six passes for 73 yards after taking the place of Tylan Wallace for the majority of the second half. Since then, there has been nothing but praise of Martin for his maturity on and off the field.
"He's a hell of a player," offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said. "He's playing great for us right now in the spot taking over for Tylan. We wanted to get him into the second half of that Miami game to see where we were with him. When he first came in there was a little bit of 'Ah, I'm pretty good, just let me play. I can do whatever I want to do,' but he's bypassed that now and he is all in. He's hitting his routes the way we need him to hit them and catching the ball the way we need him to catch it. He's leading the other guys now, so it's been a full 180 and he's killing it."
Dunn and Martin have both given some credit to offseason conversations with Mike Gundy as a reason for his progress. The meetings put football aside for the most part and were focused on life in general, helping build a mutual trust and respect between the two.
"We talk all the time whether it's about my daughter and his kids or other normal conversations that can get me going," Martin said. "We're able to get to know each other more since I just met him this past year. It's a great relationship."
After his breakout performance in the bowl game, backed up with three years of production at Washington State, Martin had a chance to declare for the NFL draft and fulfill a lifelong dream. Yet, he chose to return to Oklahoma State for another season to boost his draft stock and take advantage of the opportunity to be the Cowboys' No. 1 option on the outside.
"I felt like I was leaving stuff on the table," Martin said "I have more to prove to the scouts and to my fans and everyone who watched me play. I want to take advantage of this extra season and make the most out of it."
According to his head coach, he has made the most out of his opportunity so far. Martin and Gundy have both said he is in the best shape of his life after his first offseason with strength and conditioning coach Rob Glass.
With a productive season in his final year at the college level, Martin has a more than likely shot at becoming the seventh OSU wide receiver to be drafted since 2010, putting him in company with the likes of Dez Bryant, James Washington. Tylan Wallace and more.
"He's going to give himself a chance to perform at a high level and make some money playing this game if he can stay focused and stay the course over these next four months," Gundy said. "He is considerably better than he was at this time last year because he's in great physical condition."
Martin and the Cowboys will begin their 2021 season on Sept 4 in Boone Pickens Stadium when they kick off at 6 p.m. against Missouri State. Fans can purchase 2021 Cowboy football season tickets by visiting okstate.com/tickets
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