Player Profile

PRO: Since the retirement of Daryl Johnston in 1999, the Cowboys have struggled to find a quality, proven blocker at fullback. To remedy that situation, Jamar Martin was drafted in the fourth round (129th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft. His rookie year was cut short after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during training camp. In Martin, Dallas hopes to have found the type of powerful fullback who has the explosiveness you need as a lead blocker and the quickness to get out and find the linebacker. He also has the hands Dallas looks for in a fullback coming out of the backfield as a receiver, averaging 9.6 yards-per-reception for his collegiate career.

2002: Martin suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during practice on July 29 and was placed on injured reserve Aug. 27. He underwent surgery to repair the damage on Sept. 3 and spent the year rehabilitating the knee.

COLLEGE: Martin was the Buckeyes team co-captain as a senior, catching a career-high 13 passes for 120 yards and a pair of scores while carrying the ball 22 times for 86 yards. As a junior, Martin was used in a blocking role helping lead the way as Ohio State rushed for 2,199 yards while picking up six yards and a pair of touchdowns on eight carries. Martin started six games as a sophomore, rushing for 100 yards on 19 carries (5.9 avg.). He cleared the way for current Cowboys teammate Michael Wiley, who rushed for 999 yards and 10 touchdowns on 183 carries. As a true freshman, Martin saw action as the back-up fullback, totaling 34 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while adding 68 yards on five receptions. He was part of a Buckeye offense that rushed for 2,737 yards and 22 touchdowns to finish second in the Big Ten Conference. That squad went on to beat Texas A&M in the Nokia Sugar Bowl and finish with an 11-1 record and ranked second in the nation.

PERSONAL: Martin helped lead McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, to a 14-0 record and the Ohio big school championship as a senior. He averaged 6.2 yards-per-carry as a senior, gaining 368 yards with five touchdowns on 59 attempts. He also totaled 59 tackles and five sacks at outside linebacker. As a member of the Cowboys 2002 Rookie Club - a program designed to introduce rookie team member to community service in the Dallas area - despite his injured reserve status, Martin participated in monthly charity visits to non-profit organizations serving children. During Thanksgiving week, he joined other players on injured reserve and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders for a holiday party for 200 terminally ill and mentally challenged children hosted by Pappas Brothers Steakhouse in Dallas. Martin was a political science major at Ohio State. He has a daughter, Jaliyah (1/2/01).