90 - Orion Martin Position: Defensive End
Class: r-Senior
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 255 lbs.
High School: George Washington
Hometown: Martinsville, Va.
 
photo The Hokies' only returning starter along the defensive line ... Has made himself into an outstanding player through hard work ... Got stronger and quicker over the winter ... Broke a 22-year old record for DEs with a 39-inch vertical jump during the off-season ... Served as a leader during the off-season and spring workouts, earning an award for his efforts ... Will be counted on to continue that role in the fall ... Was a steady performer while starting every game at defensive end last year ... Led the defensive line in tackles with 58 ... Was second on the team in sacks (6.5) and had a team-leading three forced fumbles ... Also excelled on special teams where he had more plays than any other player on the team ... Plays with a non-stop motor and plenty of desire ... Will be called on to help anchor the Hokies' inexperienced defense in 2008.

2007: Moved into the starting lineup at end ... Also a key contributor on special teams ... Had six tackles against ECU in the opening game ... Was in on 47 plays, including 10 on special teams ... Played 10 special team plays at LSU and 49 defensive snaps, posting three tackles ... Was in for 42 plays against Ohio, including 15 on special teams ... Played 28 snaps against W&M with a tackle and two QB hurries ... Forced a key fumble at the goal-line in the UNC game ... Added five tackles and three QB hurries ... Was in on nine tackles at Clemson and broke up a pass ... Had seven tackles against Duke, including 1.5 sacks ... Posted 1.5 sacks again in the BC game to go with five tackles ... Played 26 snaps at end against GT and added 16 special team plays ... Was in on four tackles, including two behind the line, against FSU ... Had three tackles, including a shared sack with his brother, against Miami ... Also forced a fumble, knocked down a pass and had two hurries in that game ... Registered two sacks and batted down two passes at Virginia ... Was in on three tackles and had a key hurry against BC in the ACC title game ... Also returned a blocked field goal 20 yards in that game ... Posted two sacks and seven total tackles during the Orange Bowl game against Kansas ... Had 58 total tackles, including 10.5 behind the line ... Turned in 15 hurries and 6.5 sacks ... Also batted down five passes and caused a team-high three fumbles ... Won the President's Award for demonstrating outstanding leadership during the off-season program and spring training ... Turned in two sacks during one spring scrimmage and shared a sack in the Maroon-White game.

2006: Contributed 29 tackles on the season, including 1.5 sacks ... Was in on 23 defensive plays in the opener against Northeastern ... Had two quarterback hurries and a tackle ... Contributed two tackles at UNC ... Shared a sack and was in on five tackles during the Duke game ... Made his first collegiate start in the Georgia Tech game ... Shared a sack in the Cincinnati game and finished the contest with four tackles ... Was in on three tackles and posted a quarterback hurry against Southern Miss ... Had a hurry and a tackle in the Clemson game ... Had three special team tackles and one on defense against Kent State ... Also contributed a pair of QB hurries ... Played 20 downs on defense with a tackle and two quarterback hurries ... Added 17 plays on special teams ... Had a hurry and a tackle in the Virginia game ... Had two tackles against Georgia in the bowl game ... Finished second on the team in special team tackles with eight, all on punt returns ... Had two quarterback hurries in Tech's first spring scrimmage ... Added five tackles, two hurries and a sack in the second scrimmage ... Earned the George Preas Award, presented to the most valuable defensive player of the spring..

2005: Played in all 13 games ... His 152 plays on special teams ranked second-highest on the team during the regular season ... Had a total of 23 tackles, seven quarterback hurries and three passes broken up ... Broke up a pass in the opening game at NC State ... Shared a sack at Duke and contributed four tackles ... Added three tackles and a pass breakup against Ohio ... Was in on a tackle for loss against Georgia Tech ... Had two special team tackles at West Virginia ... Contributed three tackles and a QB hurry in the Marshall game ... Played 26 downs on defense and 14 on special teams ... Had a tackle and a hurry in 13 defensive plays at Maryland ... Also had a hurry against Miami ... Saw action on 14 special team plays in the BC game ... Played 15 snaps at end and 12 on special teams at UVa, contributing three tackles and a QB hurry ... Had 13 special team plays against UNC with a tackle ... Picked up two solo tackles against Louisville in the Gator Bowl ... Turned in the best 40 by a defensive end during spring testing with a clocking of 4.52 seconds ... Posted four tackles, two sacks and an additional tackle for loss during Tech's first spring scrimmage ... Blocked a field goal in the second scrimmage ... Also had three tackles, a TFL and a shared sack in that outing ... Was in on five tackles during the spring Maroon-White game, including two behind the line.

2004: Joined the team as a walk-on for spring practice ... Had a game-high seven tackles, including 3.5 for a loss and two sacks in the Maroon-White game ... Given the Paul Torgersen Award, awarded to the top newcomer, following spring practice ... Posted a 350-pound bench, a 550-pound back squat and a 34-inch vertical jump in spring testing.

Norfolk State: Attended NSU for 2004 spring semester.

Prep School: Played defensive end for Coach Robert Prunty at Hargrave for one semester.

High School: Played tight end and defensive end for Coach Everett Woods at George Washington ... As a senior, had three sacks, eight receptions for 190 yards and one interception ... Was named first team all-Western Valley as a senior ... Also lettered in basketball as a forward.

Personal: David Orion Martin ... Born 9/2/85 in Danville, VA ... Son of David and Denese Martin ... Brother, Cam, is a redshirt junior on the Tech football squad ... Uncle, Bobby Martin, played for Tech from 1986-1989 ... Majoring in apparel, housing and resource management.

Tackles G UT AT Tot. Loss Sacks
2005 13 11 12 23 1.5-6 0.5-2
2006 13 9 20 29 1.5-10 1-8
2007 14 30 28 58 10.5-58 6.5-43
Career 40 50 60 110 13.5-74 8-53