(Submitted photo/Brandyn Martin).

By Aaron Schulze

Former Comet Commits to StFX

Melfort’s Brandyn Martin commits to play U Sports football at St. Francis Xavier

Jan 22, 2020 | 10:00 AM

A Melfort football player is taking his talents more than 4,000 km east from his home.

Brandyn Martin, a 23-year-old defensive back, has committed to play U Sports football for St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) in Nova Scotia for the 2020 season. StFX plays in the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) conference.

Martin graduated from Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) in 2016 and was part of the school’s football program’s 2012 and 2014 championship winning teams. He spent the previous four seasons with the Regina Thunder of the Prairie Football Conference in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL); recording 60 total tackles, three fumbles, and six interceptions in 16 games played.

“I had one more year left of eligibility with the junior football program,” Martin told northeastNOW. “I could have returned to Regina for my fifth year, but StFX showed lots of interest in getting me to move to the next level for football. To me it felt like the best move not only for football, but for school wise with the opportunity to receive a scholarship to go play [in Nova Scotia].”

Even though the initial jump from nine-man high school football to junior football was a steep learning curve for Martin, he credits being able to practice, play, and ultimately learn at a high level getting him to post-secondary competition.

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According to Dave Rogers, head coach with the MUCC Comets, the work ethic Martin showed during his playing days in Melfort and Regina will be his key to success with StFX.

“Brandyn was a good player; a leader for us on defence,” Rogers said. “I was really proud to see him go down and play for the Regina Thunder. Throughout that time there, he was doing the work he needed to do to improve; spent time in the weight room, become a real leader with the Thunder. His time here at MUCC he also helped coach the Melfort Minor Football program. Those are all real positive things for him in important aspects of his leadership for our program.

“It’s an opportunity for him to continue his university education and see another part of the country… he should be really proud of what he’s accomplished.”

Martin sees his football IQ as his greatest strength heading into U Sports football but acknowledged he needs to improve his strength and speed to keep up with the competition.

StFX finished last in the AUS conference with a 2-6 record and a minus 86-point differential. From what he’s been told by his future coaches, Martin expects to see immediate playing time in Nova Scotia.

“Just bring my experience and leadership on and off the field to the team,” Martin said. “StFX preaches a team mentality. Anything I can bring to the board to help the team. I’m looking forward to playing once I move out there.”

The 2020 U Sports football schedule has yet to be announced.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow