2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

92 VAUGHN MARTINDefensive End-Tackle Draft 4A – ’096-4, 308 Western Ontario4th NFL SeasonSouth Secondary4th with ChargersLondon, OntarioVETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSVaughn Martin’s rapid rise from the Canadian collegeranks to becoming a premier NFL lineman took a major stepforward in 2011 when he started 15 games at left defensiveend. Originally expected to be a regular in the line’srotation, Martin quickly moved into the starting lineupwhen Luis Castillo suffered a fractured left tibia just minutesinto the season’s opening game against Minnesota.Martin started the Chargers’ final 15 games and posteda career-best 49 tackles, second among defensive linemen.Martin is a native of Lucea, Jamaica where he grew upplaying cricket and soccer. When Martin was nine, hismother, Doreen, married a man who lived in Toronto andMartin and his mother moved to Canada. They lived inToronto and then London, Ontario, which is where Martinlearned to play hockey and football. He began playing highschool football in the 10th grade and played just two collegiateseasons. In between, he played two seasons of summerball in the Central Ontario Football League and playedfor Team Canada at the 2006 NFL Global Championships,where Team Canada went 5-0 and posted five shutoutswhile Martin was named to the All-Tournament Team.After high school, Martin spent a year at the Milford PrepSchool in New York. He was ticketed to attend MichiganState after prep school, but a mixup over his transcripts preventedhim from becoming a Spartan. Instead Martinenrolled at Western Ontario, where as a freshman he ledthe Mustangs a conference title and Canada’s collegiatenational championship football game. Martin applied forthe NFL Draft despite having three seasons of college eligibilityremaining, and he became the first Canadian underclassmanto get drafted by an NFL team. Martin playeddefensive end and tackle at Western Ontario, and playedfullback in the team’s short-yardage offense.Martin was one of the most intelligent players to emergefrom the 2009 NFL Draft, scoring a 38 on the league’sWonderlic Test.TRANSACTION HISTORY: Fourth-round pick (113), April 26,2009...signed four-year contract, July 25.2011: Career-high eight tackles Nov. 27 vs. Denver...sack andtwo tackles for loss in Christmas Eve game in Detroit. 2010:Sack on 3rd-down play in fourth quarter of 35-14 win vs.Denver Nov. 22...outstanding game with team-high threequarterback hits on Brodie Croyle in 31-0 shutout win overKansas City Dec. 12. 2009: Game Ball Jan. 3 vs. Washingtonafter playing season-high snaps.COLLEGE: GoodLife Fitness Athlete of Week after 2008 gamevs. Queen’s University...finished career with 92 tackles, 7.5sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback pressures andtouchdown on interception return...social sciences major.PERSONAL: Born in Lucea, Jamaica...prepped at LondonSouth Secondary School in London, Ontario.Regular Season Pass Fumbles Special TeamsYear Team G-S Tack.-Asst. Total Sacks-Yds. Int.-Yds. Long TD Def. For.-Rec. TFL Tackles2009 San Diego 10-0 2-2 4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 0 02010 San Diego 10-0 4-8 12 1-7 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 1 02011 San Diego 16-15 35-14 49 1-1 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 5 0Totals 36-15 41-24 65 2-8 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 6 0Single-game HighsTackles — 8 vs. Denver Nov. 27, 2011Sacks — 1 (2 times) Last: at Detroit Dec. 24, 2011MEDIA GUIDE | 82