“I’m big on loyalty.”
Garrett Martin’s message was as clear as the perfectly painted walls serving as a visual lineage to Saguaro’s Arizona High School State Championships and All-Americans proudly displayed outside the east gate entrance into the stadium.
Over the past 18 months #SagU has seen one of the biggest program overalls in recent memory – maybe ever here in Arizona. While many of his now- former teammates opted to leave Saguaro, at one point or another, following Zak Hill’s resignation in mid-February, Martin remained committed to the program which helped transform him into a Power 4 edge/outside linebacker.
By staying, he became an important piece to the bridge for first-year head coach Darius Kelly – who is hoping to not only build on Saguaro’s 6A State Championship last December, but keep the Sabercats top of mind not only as a true blueblood AZHS program, but a definable brand of success on the west coast.
“It means a lot to me,” Kelly said. “I really appreciate all his efforts and everything he does for the program. It’s goes beyond football. He stayed strong and held the team together…having him in the locker room to ground everything and really keep everything in perspective.”
Throughout the process, Martin’s perspective on the entire situation, especially when he could have hand-picked his next power program destination, shows an innate sense of maturity in the moment for a 17 year-old intent on doing what’s right for himself, and the program.
Beyond blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Kansas!! #RockChalk @CoachLeipold @KU_Football @CoachOnatolu @CoachSvarczkopf @ScottAligo @saguarofootball pic.twitter.com/ByOAFiK24M
— garrett martin ‘25 (@GarrettMartin__) June 16, 2024
“Obviously, Saguaro is known as a powerhouse in Arizona, and we’ve been through our share of up’s and downs,” the Kansas commit explained to the “Zone Read.” “We’ve had a coaching change. We’ve had players leave. But I wanted to stay where my career started. It was important to me…when you commit to something, you better finish it.”
Validated Through Family
Transferring high schools by choice often isn’t nearly as simple, and definitively clear cut, as many believe.
It shifts schedules, can lengthen daily commutes, and increase stress for the entire family.
Martin weighed all the options, in the midst of the rockiest of waters when there was no clarity on who would replace Hill, and his ultimate decision to stay and play his senior season certainly wasn’t made alone.
“I had a big talk with my family about it, and I ultimately decided [to stay],” he said. “I want to go out on a good note. I want to bring home Saguaro another championship, and I wanted to go out with my guys. That’s pretty much the ultimate thing.”
Can’t wait to be out there with my guys!!! @saguarofootball pic.twitter.com/K7IBbVake0
— garrett martin ‘25 (@GarrettMartin__) June 20, 2024
He also built a special bond with Kelly, who was promoted from Saguaro’s defensive backs and wide receivers coach to permanent permanent head coach on March 19th.
“He’s a great dude,” Martin gushed. “I love D.K. with all my heart. He’s an amazing coach. He’s bringing Saguaro up. It’s one of the big reasons I decided to stay…I wanted to stay connected to my guys and connected to my work.”
Leadership Through Leading
Martin admits, between the outside “noise” from media and people in and around AZHS football circles, and the underlying pressure to follow the max exodus from Saguaro, it was a bit unsettling.
However, 6-foot-4, 245-pounder believed the best path, was his own path.
A path which led right back to where it all started three years ago.
“A lot of our [players], I felt like were following a trend of transferring,” Martin explained. “[Coach Kelly] said that we need to focus on Saguaro, and do Saguaro things. Don’t get bothered by the outside noise.”
Martin said he, and the other holdovers, hold no resentment or hard feelings towards the players who opted to leave the program.
Kelly believes Martin’s decision to stay goes well beyond football.
“[His] decision is going to take this team through the entire season and it’s going to make everybody else who’s around him grow mentally as they go through life, not just in the football aspect,” Kelly detailed. “Whether these kids [who stayed at Saguaro] think so or not, they’ve learned a tough lesson going through this transition. It’s going to carry them so far in life.
Congrats!! @GarrettMartin__ @KU_Football You are not just getting a heck of a football player, But a stand up young Man too! @saguarofootball @SaguaroSUSD #SagU https://t.co/InrFJayiUp
— Darius Kelly (@D_TKelly) June 16, 2024
“I’m just excited to see what it looks like 10 years from now for these guys who stuck around.”
Staying mentally strong in your convictions, especially in the toughest of times, often leads to greater benefits in the future, regardless of how this season plays out for the Sabercats.
Many backfields have indeed been wrecked by @GarrettMartin__ 😤
via @azc_obert pic.twitter.com/tZ1bPtab7o
— Saguaro Football (@saguarofootball) May 1, 2024
“He’s definitely a guy you want in your locker room,” Kelly continued. “He’s going to make sure he’s the hardest working player at all times. That’s the type of player he is on the field…I will honestly say, things would be a lot different in the locker room if he weren’t around.”
It’s safe to say Martin, who served an honorary captain last year for several games, will likely take on even bigger leadership responsibilities this fall.
Rock Chalk Ready
While the 3-star’s focus this summer is prioritizing his health (Martin torn tendons in his ankle earlier this summer), as well as improving his speed, agility and strength, he’s also looking forward to his college future in Lawrence playing for one of the faster-rising programs in the Big 12 at Kansas.
Crib! #RockChalk #Jayhawk pic.twitter.com/05VhZNeFg7
— garrett martin ‘25 (@GarrettMartin__) June 18, 2024
“I’m so excited for the future,” Martin said flashing a wide smile before answering. “Kansas is going to be so great. The [stadium] renovations are going to be crazy and Lawrence is so beautiful. They’re building something special. I feel like people sleep on Arizona athletes. They’ll go to the big states – Texas, California, Florida, Georgia. But Arizona is definitely up there and I feel like Kansas is starting to pick up on that.”
One player KU has already picked up is 2024 Desert Edge star edge/outside linebacker Deshawn “D.J.” Warner, who was Martin’s player host on his official visit, and was there when Martin officially committed.
“I remember D.J. being right next to me and thinking, ‘That’s going to be my future teammate,'” Martin said. “We’re both Arizona kids. The Kansas-Arizona connection is real.”
Kelly knows Martin’s best days, both in football and life, are still ahead of him.
“His personality and how hard he works on and off the field, he’s just an amazing kid,” he said. “10 years from now, I’m going to look back and say, ‘Oh, man, I’m just excited I had the opportunity to be in his presence to watch him play and watch him grow.'”
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.