Kansas State has quietly added another piece to its offensive puzzle. Southeastern Louisiana standout running back Antonio Martin Jr. has committed to Kansas State, giving the Wildcats an experienced, physical option out of the backfield as they finalize the roster coming out of spring.
Martin, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound bruiser, visited Manhattan this week and didn’t waste much time making his decision.
Initially a high three-star recruit out of Langston Hughes High School in Georgia, Martin signed with Georgia Tech in the 2022 class before transferring to Blinn College, where he rushed for 603 yards and five touchdowns.
This past season with Southeastern Louisiana, Martin rushed for a career-best 1,228 yards and 11 touchdowns. He spent a short time at Louisiana-Monroe, but will be a Wildcat in 2025.
For Kansas State, this isn’t about chasing headlines—it’s about filling needs. The Wildcats lost DJ Giddens to the NFL, and while they’ve still got Dylan Edwards, they still needed another proven body to complement their existing rotation.
Martin runs hard, finishes through contact, and has enough burst to hit the second level when the opportunity’s there. He may not be a feature back right away, but he gives the Cats a veteran presence who can step in and produce if called upon.
This move fits the K-State blueprint: find undervalued, mature players who want to work, develop, and contribute.
With the Wildcats expected to lean on a balanced offense in 2025, adding a physical runner like Martin makes a lot of sense.
